The weather is hot during the day and dry with little humidity in the air. A strange phenomenon occurs in some cars at this time of year. The terrible shocks that some cars make scare drivers. Do you know why? Today we will learn more about this subject and also some necessary precautions and how to avoid the scares. With the relative humidity of the air being very low. In addition to discomfort for the respiratory tract, another consequence of dry weather occurs when opening the car door. Shocks are more frequent in some cars. We will learn why and how to avoid them. The phenomenon, linked to the accumulation of static electricity, is not related to the electrical part of the car. One of its causes is the friction of the occupants' bodies and clothes with the vehicle's upholstery. This movement can cause the loss or gain of negatively charged energy particles, called electrons. When a person gets out of the car and touches a neutral surface, it causes a flow of electrical charges. And that is where the shock occurs. This discharge can reach up to 3,000 volts and this shock does not pose a risk to the body, only discomfort. This is because the voltage is high, but the current is low. Causes. In winter, low air humidity makes electrons more concentrated, which causes them to discharge suddenly. This is why electric shocks occur more frequently. This is also why using the car's air conditioning increases the occupants' exposure to static electricity, since the device makes the cabin air even drier. In addition to the amount of humidity in the air, there are other factors that affect the occurrence and intensity of these shocks. The water content in each person's body makes a difference, as do the types of clothing and footwear worn. While fabrics made from natural fibers do not accumulate electrical charges, synthetic materials increase this phenomenon. Vehicles with leather seats are less likely to cause static electricity than those made from fabric, since the animal-based upholstery causes less friction. Important tip to avoid getting an electric shock: Before leaving in cars with fabric seats, opt for clothes made from cotton and other natural fabrics, which do not accumulate electrostatic charges. Avoid viscose, acrylic and polyester, as the friction of synthetic fibers generates greater energy accumulation. During the journey. A few minutes before arriving at your destination, open the vehicle windows and turn off the air conditioning. These measures will make the cabin air less dry, reducing the possibility of shocks when you open the door. When leaving the vehicle. When opening the car door, place as much of your hand as possible in contact with the surface of the part, such as the external door handle. Even if there is a transfer of electricity, the discomfort will be less than if you touch the metal with just your fingertips. Another tip is to touch the back of your hand, it helps to lessen the shock. ✅ River Auto Peças e Auto Center: 📍 Av. Cel. Joaquim de Oliveira Prata, 574/630. 📞 (34) 2103-0800. 📸 https://instagr.am/riverautopecas​ 👍 https://fb.me/riverautocenter​ 🌐 https://www.riverautopecas.com.br