Shocking Mercury

[superdave1984]

I bought my daughter a 99 Mercury Tracer. Great little car, runs perfect. Anyway, every time you drive it, when you get out, the static electricity shocks the hell out of you. It's annoying for one thing and if you drive it for very long the charge is pretty intense. It did have some Wal-Mart seat covers on and I took them off hoping that was the problem. Seems to be a little better, but still shocks you. Any ideas as to why it does this?

 

[GreatWhite]

I have no clue, I notice that sometimes when I get out of my ranger. I think its the sub/amps in the ranger, but whatever you do when ever your daughter gets gas make sure she gets the shock off because that could ignite gasoline

 

[AllanD]

In the laundry isle of your local grocery store are
various anti-static aerosols that if applied to your seats will eliminate the problem.

I have a jacket or two that doesn't play nice with my seats
I spray both the seats and those jackets.

Why? static electricity can be a real bitch in a truck with 80+ gallons
of gasoline on board.

AD

 

[4x4mike2004]

i have the same thig happen when i get out of my truck lately. I know it static an all but i remember seeing something to the effect that the reason its worse this time of year has something to do with the air being drier/different levelk of humidity/ait temp difference.

 

[m8r8j]

watch out for the gas pump... seriously

 

[RumpRangerSTX]

use dryer sheets

 

[baxtej44]

static electricity is more prevelant in low moisture high temperature areas.


obviously you can't control the weather, but you could try the static sprays like somebody else has suggested.


that's rather odd actually... but good luck with the purchase of the new (used) car

 

[Will]

Drag a piece of chain behind your car. That's the only safe way to do it.

 

[superdave1984]

I'll try the spray. It does it even if you don't start the car. If I get in and sit down to clean the windshield or whatever it still shocks me when I touch the metal of the car. There must be a ground problem somewhere. Maybe if I got some rubber floor mats? It has none now.

 

[Mark_88]

My Tempo had the same thing...and maZuki does it too...and I have rubber mats now and had them in my Tempo...problem is, the carpets and cloth seats...and certain types of synthetic clothes like fleece pants and tops (which I tend to wear most of the time)...if you brush your foot or leg up against the carpet or seat you take on the static charge and it is released when you touch the metal parts...

I found this most often in spring and fall...but here are some tips from Wiki...

* Touch the glass as you exit, this will discharge any electricity as well with no shock!
* Use an anti-static laundry spray on your car's seats and floor.
* Hold a key in your hand and touch the metal door frame as you exit. It acts as a lightning rod and discharges the static without pain.
* Here's a simple technique: tap the door with your knuckle as you exit. Your knuckle is much less sensitive than your fingertip and you won't feel the zap.

Another one was to simply put your hand on the roof of the car before you get out...

There are also anti-static strips that you can hang from your rear bumper and they drag along the road discharging static electricity (just a tad less obvious than a chain)...I like this idea better than the laundry sprays because laundry sprays stink (well, they smell like, you know...laundry)...

 

[04 EDGE]

i have the same thig happen when i get out of my truck lately. I know it static an all but i remember seeing something to the effect that the reason its worse this time of year has something to do with the air being drier/different levelk of humidity/ait temp difference.

same here.

 

[Nhaz]

You can buy grounding strips that you attach to the unibody of the car and they dangle to the pavement. In effect they dump the static charge the car builds up while you are driving every time they come in contact with the pavement.

And since they drag thats most of the time. They are made up of a strip of flexible rubber with a wire running down the middle. pretty cheap too.

 

[superdave1984]

The spray seems to have worked. Dunno if it's a temp fix or not.

 

[97RangerXLT]

you probably have low rolling resistance tires on it. They give you slightly better gas mileage, but they do not dissipate the static as well.

it will probably get better as the humidity gets heavier, but static spray and a grounding strap will help if things are too bad.

AJ