Static Shocks from my car - Page 2 - Toyota Yaris Forums

BailOut · 03-11-2010, 12:06 PM

The explanation of why this happens is easy to understand but somewhat difficult to prevent. Static buildup occurs when a synthetic material rubs upon an organic material. Most of us have a mixture of organic-based clothing (cotton and wool blends) and synthetic-based clothing (polyester, nylon, rayon, lycra) This is why things can go nuts in your dryer sometimes.

This is how shuffling your rubber-soled, leather and cotton upper shoes with cotton socked feet on a nylon carpet allows you to build up a static charge. Did you ever notice that you could build up huge charges by shuffling your winter wool socked feet on a nylon carpet?

The material covering the seats in the Yaris is fully synthetic, so when you wear organic-based clothing the act of getting in and out of the car and shifting around in your seat is enough to build up a static charge. As my own wardrobe shifts to all organic materials (mostly hemp-based clothing) this is becoming more and more of an issue for me in my Yaris.

It is, of course, more prevalent and more pronounced in drier climates. However, while certainly annoying and discomforting the exit shock has never caused me pain, so I just live with it.

RedRide · 03-11-2010, 01:08 PM

As others have said, it is normal for any car and it is nothing to wory about.

This is why it is always a good practice to dissapate any staic charge before pumping gas into any car.

TurnOntoTheDirtRoad · 03-14-2010, 10:05 AM

Static electricity may occur whenever two nonconductive materials are passing each other, e.g., dry wind passing over the car, tires rolling on the road, clothing rubbing against upholstery, spinning engine components. Usually the static electricity finds a natural conductive path to ground and dissipates without notice. At one time, all car tires used conductive carbon black filler in the rubber compound and it was an excellent grounding path. Modern tire compounds may use a less conductive silicon. So in cool, dry areas many owners experience a buildup of static electricity. This is normal, but annoying. When I lived in Montana and Colorado, I found it so annoying that I installed an inexpensive grounding strap. Problem solved.

03-11-2010, 12:06 PM	#19
BailOut Steals terrorist's lunch View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Liftback Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Reno, Nevada, USA Posts: 1,299	The explanation of why this happens is easy to understand but somewhat difficult to prevent. Static buildup occurs when a synthetic material rubs upon an organic material. Most of us have a mixture of organic-based clothing (cotton and wool blends) and synthetic-based clothing (polyester, nylon, rayon, lycra) This is why things can go nuts in your dryer sometimes. This is how shuffling your rubber-soled, leather and cotton upper shoes with cotton socked feet on a nylon carpet allows you to build up a static charge. Did you ever notice that you could build up huge charges by shuffling your winter wool socked feet on a nylon carpet? The material covering the seats in the Yaris is fully synthetic, so when you wear organic-based clothing the act of getting in and out of the car and shifting around in your seat is enough to build up a static charge. As my own wardrobe shifts to all organic materials (mostly hemp-based clothing) this is becoming more and more of an issue for me in my Yaris. It is, of course, more prevalent and more pronounced in drier climates. However, while certainly annoying and discomforting the exit shock has never caused me pain, so I just live with it. __________________ - Brian Share the Road I often carry 2 carpool passengers and mountain bikes or snowboards/skis over a 4,500 foot elevation difference. Click the graphic above to see my detailed mileage logs.

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03-11-2010, 01:08 PM	#20
RedRide Drives: '09 Yaris carmine red 2d HB Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Middletown, NY Posts: 1,502	As others have said, it is normal for any car and it is nothing to wory about. This is why it is always a good practice to dissapate any staic charge before pumping gas into any car.

03-14-2010, 10:05 AM	#21
TurnOntoTheDirtRoad Drives: Yaris Hatchback 2009 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bumpass, Virginia Posts: 11	Static electricity may occur whenever two nonconductive materials are passing each other, e.g., dry wind passing over the car, tires rolling on the road, clothing rubbing against upholstery, spinning engine components. Usually the static electricity finds a natural conductive path to ground and dissipates without notice. At one time, all car tires used conductive carbon black filler in the rubber compound and it was an excellent grounding path. Modern tire compounds may use a less conductive silicon. So in cool, dry areas many owners experience a buildup of static electricity. This is normal, but annoying. When I lived in Montana and Colorado, I found it so annoying that I installed an inexpensive grounding strap. Problem solved.