Shocking Yaris!?

[CKaelin]

I'm not sure how long this has been going on but it has really started to bug the crap out of me. Every time I get out of my 08 hatchback I get a shock! When I go to close the door... ZAAAAAAAPPPPPPP!!! I mean its not a big shock but it is uncomfortable and annoying.. Anyone had a similar problem?

lmao, wtf?

[90tsi]

yea when i wear certain clothes i get that same static shock... ill tell ya what sometimes that crap kinda hurts but ive gotten used to it over time.

[Rain]

Happens to me too but only once in a while...

[DevilGirl]

Happened to me last night... Boy did that hurt!!

[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.

[swidd]

Originally Posted by 90tsi

ill tell ya what sometimes that crap kinda hurts but ive gotten used to it over time.

I haven't gotten used to it... I've gotten so scared of it that in anticipating the pain, its like trying to pull the trigger on my gun while pointing it at my head. Even if I think its empty, its still a psychological barrier to doing it.

[CTScott]

The whole fabric thing makes a huge difference. In the past year that I've had my Clazzio leather seat covers, I haven't gotten zapped once. Prior to that, on any non-humid day I was guaranteed to get zapped on every exit.

[jambo101]

Holding the door frame as you exit the car usually eliminates the problem. I sometimes catch a jolt at night and if you are looking you will see an impressive arc of static electric.

[MUSKOKA800]

Originally Posted by CKaelin

I'm not sure how long this has been going on but it has really started to bug the crap out of me. Every time I get out of my 08 hatchback I get a shock! When I go to close the door... ZAAAAAAAPPPPPPP!!! I mean its not a big shock but it is uncomfortable and annoying.. Anyone had a similar problem?

lmao, wtf?

Yes, depending on which shoes I wear. Croc's are especially brutal.

[suckerface]

I had this problem for the longest time in my '08 HB too. My gf, who rode shotgun as much as I drove, never had this problem. Even when she drove, very rarely would she get a shock, and if she did, it was nothing compared to what I got. One day, out of the blue, it stopped happening though, and has continued to not happen for almost a month. Only thing I can think of that stopped it was a very thorough detailing on my car when it got warm enough out (it's still barely 40* F in WI). I'm planning on getting a grounding kit from Garm in the near future (http://shop.microimageonline.com/NRG...Kit-GK-100.htm) to see if that helps the few light ones I get now and then. I'm also hoping it'll help the poor quality sound through my AUX input as well.

[YarisPR]

Glad to know I'm not the only one with this zapping problem

[ezhacker1]

now to make this happen on purpose as a vehicle theft deterrent like in James Bond: Tomorrow Never Dies.

I get shocked alot too

[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

[bronsin]

I get zapped when I kiss my wife. Now THAT smarts!

[shinlee]

I get shocked alot too. My wife hates it, lol.... but, I kinda like it now, hehe

[kuyachris84]

happens to me also...

[DFA]

gotta love living somewhere humid :D

[abdallah380]

Originally Posted by DFA

gotta love living somewhere humid :D

^^^ heeeeeyyyyy i live somehere humid... Dubai is really humid now :(


anyways, im glad too to know im not the only one getting shocked too. but i really dont mind it. i just got used to it. holding the escalator, or when ur arm brushes someone else's arm at the mall :P
actually getting zapped when i hold the door before getting in my car i kinda find that interesting n thought it was fun :P