Static

Mungo,

I have had these problems in the past particularly on windy days.

Many people suffer because they touch a metallic item with an outstretched hand or finger. I find that if you give a suspected static item a quick tap with the back of the fingers than it discharges without the normal jolt that causes pain. If you are badly affected then this can become a healthy habit!

Pain is caused when static electricity forms an arc across the gap between you and the object. This is made worse if you reach out to the object slowly as the arc will occur just as you get within range. There are many theories on the causes of this, mostly centred around the shoes you wear and nylon carpet.

I find that if you can touch or tap the item quickly then the jolt is much reduced.

Just my experience!

Muddy 'doe

Hi Mungo Explorer.

I found that a fail safe way of stopping that 'ZAP' is not to touch the ground until you are at least 3m away from the car. Hope this helps.

I have the same problem and apart from keeping the family amused is a right pain in the arse, i have been told when getting out of the car before you put your feet on the ground to hold on to the metal part of the door, now this works not all of the time but it does work.

A fellow sufferer, Baz.

you will find that it has to do with the type of clothing u are wearing

It has got so bad with me that the kids do not touch me for about 5 minutes after a trip.

Thh only thing that I have found that works is not touching the ground within a 5 metre radius of the car after driving.

A change of underwear may help. If you wear boxer shorts they may be the culprit, change to cotton jocks or similar. You get static build up as you travel by moving your backside on the seat. Also a lambswool seat cover may help. Regards G.T.

I have the same problem and it went from funny to annoying very quickly.
2 earthing straps from super cheap has helped a lot but not completely fixed the problem.
Next on the cards is to remove the front door liners adn mounting new earthing straps from the door to the chassis. Failing that it will be selling the the moden wonder and going back to a old G60 wit out the central lockng and power windows.

shadow

Hi,
The cause is static electricity generated when you slide out of the seat. It is affected by seat cover material and your clothing. The charge difference is between you and the vehicle body so static straps do not help. (I tried them)
I have found that spraying the seat lightly with an anti static spray, available from fabric shops, works for a while but needs re applying after a month or so. The other "solution" is to hold on to some metal part of the vehicle as you get out. I now do this almost automatically having been bitten so often.
If you have insulating shoes, and most are, you can remain charged up for quite a long time...untill you reach out for an earthed object!

Phil I

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. There doesn't seem to be an easy answer, though the anti-static spray option seems the easiest and I'll try that out first. It seems to be only me (the driver) who suffers this so a bottle should last quite a while for one seat only, even if it needs to be reapplied every month or so.
I'll also try to change my underwear and my dress sense :-) Will also train myself to touch the metal frame of the car as I get out - the zap usually happens when I'm just out and touching the door to slam it shut.