Is it necessary to install an anti-static strip on a car?
2 Answers
It is necessary to install an anti-static strip on a car. Cars are made of metal, and when driving on the road, friction with the ground generates static electricity. Especially in autumn and winter, when the air humidity is low, static electricity cannot be conducted and accumulates on the car body. Installing an anti-static strip can effectively prevent this. Car static electricity is generated by the friction between the car body and dust in dry environments. When people sit inside the car, their clothing inevitably rubs against the car's interior, producing static electricity. If the car's interior uses a lot of synthetic fiber materials, static electricity is more likely to occur. While driving, an unexpected static shock can cause excessive fright, potentially leading to accidental traffic incidents. Additionally, accumulated static electricity in the body can harm health. Especially when refueling at gas stations, a car with a lot of static electricity can generate sparks between any nearby conductors, causing accidents. To address static electricity, many cars have a "small tail" at the rear, which guides the static electricity to the ground. Particularly for large trucks or tankers, a chain touching the ground at the rear serves the same purpose.
I've been driving for over a decade, transitioning from old clunkers to new cars and experiencing all sorts of situations. Anti-static straps were more common earlier in dry northern regions, aimed at reducing the shock when getting in and out of the car. But nowadays, vehicle designs are advanced, with tires themselves containing conductive materials like carbon black, which can naturally discharge static electricity through the rims to the ground. Installing an anti-static strap is usually unnecessary—it not only increases wind resistance, affecting fuel efficiency, but can also get damaged or rust on bumpy roads. A friend of mine who installed one saw no effect and just ended up with extra maintenance hassle. In dry winter weather, if you're worried about static shocks, a simpler solution is to touch the metal door frame before getting out to discharge any static, or keep a small damp cloth in the car to increase humidity. In short, vehicles are tested for static protection before leaving the factory, so there's no need to spend extra money on unnecessary modifications. Just maintain proper tire pressure and regularly service the grounding system—it’s hassle-free and effective.
