Shocking Yaris!?

[swidd]

Zaps and electrostatic build-up has been a major problem in my life for the past few years... getting zapped when touching doors, opening the doors for the ladies becomes a social problem etc, getting milk in the grocery store is pain, and yes, Yaris is pain.

It comes down to the clothing: socks, boxers or pants made with synthetics like polyester or nylon are major cause.

Spray Yaris fabric interior (seats and floor mats) with anti static spray. Or buy rubber floor mats. I'm going to buy leather seat covers.

I found socks and boxers made of bamboo and/or 100% pure cotton took care of a lot of the zaps and overall static build-up. I found that the entire selection of socks at Walmart and most of the socks sold at Target, are made from cheap synthetic materials. The bamboo socks (static free even out of the dryer!) were available in bulk from Sam's Club.

Also moving slowly when getting out of the car helps.

Touch the car glass first, it may discharge at a slower rate.

[BailOut]

Originally Posted by swidd

It comes down to the clothing: socks, boxers or pants made with synthetics like polyester or nylon are major cause.

You're 1/3 correct on that one. The other 2/3 that you missed are that external clothing made from organic fibers will also cause static buildup against the synthetic seat, and that mixing your own clothes between synthetic and organic will do the same.

I only wear organic clothing (lots of organic hemp and organic cotton) for daily use so I never build up static by myself, but in the Yaris my organic-clad backside rubs against the synthetic seat and I often get shocked when I exit it. When my clothes are washed by themselves no static buildup ever occurs in the dryer, but when mixed in with some of my wife's synthetic clothing (polyester, nylon, etc.) everything in the dryer becomes one big ball of static.

The only synthetic clothing I own is my snow/bike gear (for water resistance and moisture wicking), and I've never been shocked when exiting the Yaris wearing it.

Organic + Organic = no shock
Synthetic + Synthetic = no shock
Organic + Synthetic = ZAP