I have the same problem. It's the fabric that the car manufacturer's are using for the interior of new car's. I had an 02 Altima that did the same thing. In fact, I get shocked from the 02 Mercedes I have also. The best way that I've found to avoid painfully zapping myself, is to get out of the car without bumping into any metal and slightly tap my door with a closed fist. That way it's not painful. So.... if you see an asian guy punching the door of his yellow OZ then chances are that's me.

 

not to go off topic or anything.. but it just struck me, TproJL, that you have quite the odd mix of cars there... an 02 Mercedes and then a OZ Lancer. It's like the rich and the poor or something :-) LOL... not that I'm dissing at all on our Lancers because I love mine to death... but yeah anyway...

I'm pretty sure the fabric that they use for that faux suede is actually a microfiber polyester... which seem to do a good job of charging up cotton. I've noticed when I wear microfiber dress pants that I NEVER get a shock. Most of the times I get really nailed is when I'm wearing jeans. But it varies. I haven't actually been shocked in a couple of weeks, but all the rain and the warmer weather seems to help that.

 

The source is usually static charges which build up between your body and the car seat while you are in the seat, but remain harmlessly neutralised until you get up. At that time, you take considerable electric charge with you as you get out of the car. If the charge has no discharge path, then a very high voltage (several thousand Volts) can build up very quickly. When you reach for the door, the high voltage causes a spark which discharges you quickly to the car - giving you a shock in the process.(Many people cannot feel shocks with discharges of less than about 4000 Volts!). One solution is to make sure you hold onto the metal door frame as you get out of the seat, allowing yourself to harmlessly discharge slowly as you get up.

 

I have been using my visor guards to shut my door.

they are plastic and don't hurt...

until I get to my house and try to open the door....

 

it's the upholstery, humidity, and the fact that the car is 1 damned ground loop. my system makes it way worse, soon as I tough the ground...shocked like a *****....I hate it

 

Im right there with you. I have owned 3 diffrent cars and I have never had a problem with static electricity like this.

 

While i dont own a lancer, i do have that problem from time to time. Seems to be something with the clothing i wear. Its very annoying and hurts at times(especially when you are making a run for that bathroom. Light switch + finger=suck).

 

when I had my corsica (laugh all you want!!! I'd laugh too... but it was surprisingly quick with 155 hp) I got shocked a good bit too.. plush seats etc... but not anywhere near as painful as the shocks I seem to get from the Lancer... But oh well.. :-) I'll take the nasty shocks, I like my car too much.. and 2.5k of upgrades going in the next 4 days! yeeha!

Later.

 

OK OK , check it out lol just do like i do at work, get an ESD safe smock, and ESD strap and Cord and ground yourself at all times haha

 

hell while you are at it you can just chain a bunch of random kindergartners together with those stretchy coil braceletes that look exactly like the ESD (electro -static discharge) braceletes and let the little buggers get out first and discharge the lot of you :-)

Question... how much static electricity does it take to make a 6 year old glow? ;-) kiddin guys!

 

lol im glad i found this thread...i too thought i was the only one with this problem. when i open my door i touch the rubber part on the top so that it discharges the charge, and i dont get shocked anymore, hope this helps some of you out

 

wow i also have a daily shocking experience myself