*ZAP* static shock from car doors

[Welly]

Not Volvo not 406 but the C4 generates a wicked static shock from the doors. Stop the car, open the door and if you touch the metal door frame to close it ~~~ZAP~~~

I've tried stuffing the hinges full of Vaseline (old wives tale?) that did nothing.

I've heard those dangley strap things at the back don't work (and look a bit naff).

Any tips to reduce this? or do we just put up with it because Citroen.

[benczuk]

It is my understanding that you generate the static as you slide out of the seat. If you hold the door or roof (or anything metal) while exiting you should discharge the electricity as you generate it and thus not get a shock when you shut the door.

[PeterN]

Its to do with the materials you are wearing and the dryness of the air. Synthetic materials are very good at generating static as you slide across the seat, but if its damp they self discharge. If you hold onto something that is earthed - the door for instance, as you slide out of the car it will stop the charge building up.

Peter

[Welly]

I'd not thought about the materials and the air does seem to have been quite dry recently. The Citroen has some kinda meshy synthetic seat fabric so I bet that is the issue mostly.

I was thinking the car was generating the static somehow.

[steve_earwig]

I get the odd zap now and again, mostly down to the air and my attire as mentioned, but I had a VW Derby when i was a lad and I got loads of shocks off of that, then the voltage regulator blew up. It was fine after I fixed it.

[Doggy]

Avoid the static build up as the others have suggested.
If you forget and realise before zapping yourself, hold the key so you you're touching the top of the blade, then offer the tip up to some exposed metal, (door lock maybe). That way you avoid the spark.
(Using your elbow works too, but you need bigger nads).

[Welly]

So I hold the key with the tip of my elbow and touch my nads on some exposed metal? is that right? thanks I'll give it a try.

[benczuk]

Tonight on East Midlands today, the shocking* excuses from the man arrested for exposing himself to a Citroen C4. Led away weeping he could be heard to utter "I never had this trouble with my Volvo, damm these sexy French cars."

[Doggy]

I see he's taken precautions.