static electricity....anyone else getting a zap??

[sandygxl Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sandygxl]

Just a curious question to any other 150 prado owners......
im getting a good zap everytime i get out of my GXL! Strangely enough, the wife hasnt had it happen to her and she mainly drives it.
Im putting it down to the velour seat trim....i dont have seat covers on it yet...........anyone else having this problem? what can i do?
2014 GXL,
thanks

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Easy! Earth yourself as you get out- hold onto the door/body etc as you put your foot onto the ground.

[pwaddo73 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close pwaddo73]

My wife and I were getting zapped every time we got out but I have to say that I have not noticed it since fitting seat covers.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

I've got static zaps imtermittently from cars since I was 17. Unless you've got bodgy wiring, it's just one of those things. If you drive a petrol make sure you earth before refilling! ��

[smas Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close smas]

I have had the same issue with the wife wondering why I jumped like I'd just grabbed hold of an electric fence every time I got out of the car. Finally had my revenge when she got a huge whack of the door one day. We fitted sheepskin covers and it has not stoped but much less often and only very slight zap. Hot days can be a it more vicious though. 2014 GXL as well

[chappy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chappy]

I used to get that happening aswell, I've since thrown a beach towl over my seat and it happens a lot less now-2012 GX

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

Always more static during the winter months in Brisbane. Try earthing the car against your leg on the side rail when getting out.

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

Let the wife leave the vehicle first !

Sheep skin covers have reduced the zapping to almost nothing, only a little bit during windy and dry winter conditions.

[Warhamster Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Warhamster]

Same issue on my 2013 GXL Prado.

Father-in-law explained this (aircraft mechanic) - it's a build up of static electricity from wind running over the paintwork that discharges when you touch it. He fitted an earth to the underside of the car that discharges to ground, and that has fixed the problem (bolted to chassis with stainless steel piece touching the ground when parked).

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

Let the wife leave the vehicle first !

Sheep skin covers have reduced the zapping to almost nothing, only a little bit during windy and dry winter conditions.

Same issue on my 2013 GXL Prado.

Father-in-law explained this (aircraft mechanic) - it's a build up of static electricity from wind running over the paintwork that discharges when you touch it. He fitted an earth to the underside of the car that discharges to ground, and that has fixed the problem (bolted to chassis with stainless steel piece touching the ground when parked).

After considering both options I use my manners an let the earth, I mean wife exit first.

[Fred63 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fred63]

yep I do the same.
"I will let the turbo cool down while you get out"
working so far
funny I never get the static shock

[sandygxl Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sandygxl]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.......I haven't had a zap since trying the leg on the sidesteps trick, so far so good.
The wife got her first zap the other day when she was wearing denim jeans, which makes sense because I normally wear denim shorts.......maybe the denim rubbing on the velour seat trim is the major cause?
Anyway we'll be getting seat covers pretty soon, will keep u guys updated

[sandygxl Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sandygxl]

Same issue on my 2013 GXL Prado.

Father-in-law explained this (aircraft mechanic) - it's a build up of static electricity from wind running over the paintwork that discharges when you touch it. He fitted an earth to the underside of the car that discharges to ground, and that has fixed the problem (bolted to chassis with stainless steel piece touching the ground when parked).

Where did he mount this? Do u have any pics or more info? Thanks