Static Electric Shock

[luv2bdriving]

At first, I thought it was just my 'electric personality' shocking me each time I exited my car, but a few days ago it happened to my son when he borrowed my car for a while. Is anyone else having this problem with their Versa? I have owned two other Nissans and a host of other vehicles, but I have never experienced this problem before with any of them.

Thanks!

Bonnie

[xtwoonamatchx]

ohh yeah, as soon as the cold weather hits me and my passengers get shocked whenever we get out... sometimes its REALLY strong other times its nothing, but there hasnt been one time i've gotten out without getting it since it got cold

[KimberKenobi]

it's because the air is dry and has nothing to do with the car itself. Subarus, Fords, Suzukis, Toyotas, Chevys... you name it, it'll shock you in the winter. You'll even experience it inside buildings!!

Sarcasm aside, it's really not your car. If it was because of something in your car not being grounded properly, you'd experience it all through the year and you'd notice electrical problems with dash lights and your radio.

[Stumpkin]

Yup, it's the dry winter air.

Dry air makes it easer for us to build up a static electric charge on our clothing. That is to say the more our butts rub on the seat getting out of a car the bigger the electric charge build up will be. Once we touch the door to shut it we discharge. That is to say we get a shock! The design of the car may have a little too do with it and so will the size and shape of body and type of fabric our clothing is made of.

[ElDiablo]

ya but you have to admit, there is something wrong with the ground on this damn car.

i sold a 2000 gmc and never had a problem with static shock.

now every damn time i get out of my car i get the horris pinker treatment.

[KimberKenobi]

use your shoe to close the door. if you're wearing soft-soled shoes, won't hurt the car.

Modified by KimberKenobi at 8:56 AM 11/30/2008

but why is my sig gone?
Modified by KimberKenobi at 8:56 AM 11/30/2008

[rwanttaja]

ya but you have to admit, there is something wrong with the ground on this damn car.

It's not the ground, it's the relative state of charge between you and the exterior of the car. You could have a 4 gauge ground strap running from the frame to a gen-u-wine earth rod, and you'd still get shocked.

i sold a 2000 gmc and never had a problem with static shock.

now every damn time i get out of my car i get the horris pinker treatment.

I had a 1998 Oldsmobile, and it shocked me about as bad as my Versa does.

You're building a charge as you slide across the seat to get out, just like shuffling across the carpet at home. The charge jumps to the first conductor you touch, which is usually the door frame. Whether the exterior metal is grounded or not is immaterial; it's at a different state of charge than you.

Try holding on to the door frame as you slide out; that should prevent a static buildup.

My wife keeps her car in the same garage, but doesn't have a static problem. But then, she has leather seats, not cloth like my Versa and my Olds.

Ron

[SuperTurbo]

Just a joke...

Can you add a ground wire for yourself ??

So you will not get shock!

[BaldVersa]

Put a few static discharge wicks that are used on airplanes!

Seriously, as a forty yr old who's been through quite a few cars, this is thie shockiest car i've ever had!

[VersaMG08]

That's weird, I haven't been shocked by the car yet. Previous car, shocked all the time! It got annoying

[Mubbly]

I get shocked all the time! Never fails. Its like I'm dusting tube TVs again at Circuit City. ZAP!

[dbiers]

I just got an 07 Versa and am having the same problem, so far everyone is telling me to just use upholstery spray (anti-static), but im not sold this could become a safety hazard when filling up with gas.

[kc5f]

See rwanttaja's reply, above. If you touch a part of the body or even the door frame as you slide out of your seat, you won't have the problem. And in a few months it shouldn't be a problem, anyway, as the air won't be as dry as it is in the winter.