What are these things?
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Elder User
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From: Billings, MT
What are these things?
1. On a lot of cars in this area, but mainly Dodge/Chrysler minivans and Subarus, they have something on their front wheels called a "Spike's Spider". What is this thing? I havn't had the opportunity to ask one of the owners, so I'm asking you folks.
2. On probably half of the local cop cars, of both Ford and Chevy variety, and a few civilian cars, their is this 'strap' that hangs down. It is about an inch or so wide and just drags on the ground. I'm wondering what this is too. At first I thought it was just people letting their vehicles fall into disrepair, but I find it unlikely that the police would let that happen.
The Law
1989 F-250 HD 4x4
460, C6, BW 13-56
Almost Stock
2. On probably half of the local cop cars, of both Ford and Chevy variety, and a few civilian cars, their is this 'strap' that hangs down. It is about an inch or so wide and just drags on the ground. I'm wondering what this is too. At first I thought it was just people letting their vehicles fall into disrepair, but I find it unlikely that the police would let that happen.
The Law
1989 F-250 HD 4x4
460, C6, BW 13-56
Almost Stock
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What are these things?
# 2 is a static strap.
Used to eliminate static cling.
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Used to eliminate static cling.
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Senior User
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From: Utah
What are these things?
Not sure if this is true but.... About the static strip, I was told it was for people who have pacemakers (sp?). It is so the static doesn't get in the car and mess it up?? Who knows, I might have heard wrong!??!!!?????
Posting Guru
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From: Southern MD
What are these things?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 20-Aug-02 AT 07:55 AM (EST)]Never heard of a "Spike's Spider". What does it look like?
Static discharge straps have been around since the 50's. They were originally installed to eliminate the static electric build up that would accumulate and Zap you when you grab the door handle.
In newer vehicles, it assists in eliminating noise and interference in some electronics, like 2 way radios, radar guns, and on-board video cameras in police cars.
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Static discharge straps have been around since the 50's. They were originally installed to eliminate the static electric build up that would accumulate and Zap you when you grab the door handle.
In newer vehicles, it assists in eliminating noise and interference in some electronics, like 2 way radios, radar guns, and on-board video cameras in police cars.
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: So Cal
What are these things?
The spikes spider is probably a snow traction device. Many newer front drivers and I guess some rears, have this option. Basically it is kind of a hub that sits on the outside of the rim. Most of the year, that is all you see. When it snows you snap on the "spider" which kind of looks like a propeller with the ends bent. The bent ends fit over the tread of the tire and supply traction. I hear it is very easy and fast to take off and put on.
Jim Henderson
Jim Henderson
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From: Canada
What are these things?
the strap is used to remove static electricity .It stops people from getting car sick. Most transit busses use then. they are attached behind the rear axle so you can't see them.
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From: Campbell, California
What are these things?
>The spikes spider is probably a snow traction device.
>
>Jim Henderson
I'll second that, it is a snow traction device. Used on front wheel drive cars because they usually done have enough clearance between the wheel and fender well to handle a chain. The hub mounts onto the rim via the tires lug nuts. The traction device is usually a plastic composite of some type the snaps onto the hub when extra traction is needed.
>
>Jim Henderson
I'll second that, it is a snow traction device. Used on front wheel drive cars because they usually done have enough clearance between the wheel and fender well to handle a chain. The hub mounts onto the rim via the tires lug nuts. The traction device is usually a plastic composite of some type the snaps onto the hub when extra traction is needed.
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Elder User
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From: Billings, MT
What are these things?
Thanks folks, those things just got my curiosity rollin'.
About the static strap though, what does that do to the likelyhood of getting hit by lightning? Don't cars usually not get hit because they aren't grounded? Wouldn't this change that?
The Law
1989 F-250 HD 4x4
460, C6, BW 13-56
Almost Stock
About the static strap though, what does that do to the likelyhood of getting hit by lightning? Don't cars usually not get hit because they aren't grounded? Wouldn't this change that?
The Law
1989 F-250 HD 4x4
460, C6, BW 13-56
Almost Stock
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
What are these things?
>Thanks folks, those things just got my curiosity rollin'.
>About the static strap though, what does that do to the
>likelyhood of getting hit by lightning? Don't cars usually
>not get hit because they aren't grounded? Wouldn't this
>change that?
Cars do get hit, but I have heard the occupants don't get hurt because the tires insulate the car from ground. Although I would think the strap would be better. You want the energy to flow to ground, not hold on the car, right? The car could build up a static charge by traveling through the air, the strap would dissipate the charge and I believe is on gasoline tankers to prevent static ignition when they stop to load/unload. Maybe we should put a sharp point on the antenna (like a lightning rod) to bleed off any static charge that otherwise would build up on our cars, thereby minimizing the chance they will attract lightning.
>About the static strap though, what does that do to the
>likelyhood of getting hit by lightning? Don't cars usually
>not get hit because they aren't grounded? Wouldn't this
>change that?
Cars do get hit, but I have heard the occupants don't get hurt because the tires insulate the car from ground. Although I would think the strap would be better. You want the energy to flow to ground, not hold on the car, right? The car could build up a static charge by traveling through the air, the strap would dissipate the charge and I believe is on gasoline tankers to prevent static ignition when they stop to load/unload. Maybe we should put a sharp point on the antenna (like a lightning rod) to bleed off any static charge that otherwise would build up on our cars, thereby minimizing the chance they will attract lightning.
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