Shocking - Static Charge?

Does your TB shock you when you get out?
I noticed almost every time I get out of the truck I get a nice zap when I go to close the door. It happens in one of my friends TB, but not another's. Does it happen in yours?
Noticed w/ Cloth Seats.

Yes, I get a huge shock. I just figured it was the time of year, and the fact that it's a new car.

Mine does too (it's an '03 - so it's not new)...especially when I'm wearing sneakers. If I remember, I read of a trick where you touch your key to a metal part of the door before you touch the door with your hand and it dissipates the static without shocking you...but I don't remember to do that all the time.

Hold on to the door ( I use the window frame) while you are still sitting on the seat and continue to hold until you get out. When your feet touch the ground it takes the shock away. My 04 would shock me more than any other vehicle I've ever owned.

I noticed this myself. I mentioned it to my wife and she had told me about the dangers for women pumping gas then going back into the car to get their purse, the shock may ignite the gas. She had scene this on a TV report. She had mentioned that it is the friction from the cloth interior.

I noticed this myself. I mentioned it to my wife and she had told me about the dangers for women pumping gas then going back into the car to get their purse, the shock may ignite the gas. She had scene this on a TV report. She had mentioned that it is the friction from the cloth interior.

OK... here is the FD response to that. Is it possible to ignite the gas fumes while pumping? In 99.9% of all occassions it is not due to static electricity. Been a FF for 10 years and we have never had a pump fire due to static electricity. "Mythbusters" a show on TLC (I believe), did experiments around cell phones, static electricity and fuel pumps. They were unable to generate a fire from either exposure. The reason? Most pumps now have vapor recovery, which limits the amount of fumes which go back out into the air (the rubber nozzle over the pump). Even without this device, the concentration of fuel in the air or LEL (lower explosive limits) which is required for an ignition point of gasoline is still relatively small. For example, if you were in a confined, non-ventilated, space, your chances for an explosion would be higher. I have not found a pump like this yet... would be nice in the winter! However, we are outside, where the usually is a breeze or some type of air movement.

The safe rule... if you are going to get back into your vehicle while pumping gas, when you get out, just touch the side of the gas pump on any metal surface. These devices are fully grounded and will "de-energize" you.

Stay safe!
-Joe

Here is one of the articles I have read on the subject about static electricity and pumping gas. I didn't have to search to hard for this article, but I do not know if this is the one my wife was talking about.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/08/27/earlyshow/living/ConsumerWatch/main638947.shtml

Here is one of the articles I have read on the subject about static electricity and pumping gas. I didn't have to search to hard for this article, but I do not know if this is the one my wife was talking about.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/08/27/earlyshow/living/ConsumerWatch/main638947.shtml

Pretty good video, I might be crazy, but doesn't the video of the fire actually look like a trailblazer?

Be careful with those types of nozzles, they don't have the "vapor recovery" which I was referring to.

Vapor Recovery Nozzle
http://www.anr.state.vt.us/air/AirToxics/images/ToxBalanceNozzle.JPG


Be Safe!

Thanks for pointing out that there was a video, I just watched it. I will now tell my wife to touch the door before touching the pump. Getting back to the original post, I get zapped by my TB every time and now I have to touch the door frame knowing I will get zapped before I fill up.

In Canada I only see the nozzles with the splash guards. Never come across that type of nozzle.

mine does, although it mainly depends on which pair of shoes I have on

Tired of getting a charge out of your ride.
Try using static gard used for clothing worked on mine.

Tired of getting a charge out of your ride.
Try using static gard used for clothing worked on mine.

well said! Will try