[John Brown]

Different clothes and seat cover fabric contribute significantly to static electric shocks. When I wear my Flowmaster fleece jacket on dry winter days, I get a big snap when I touch any metal surface, also when putting my hand near the cruise control button on my DD's steering wheel. If I'm wearing my normal heavy winter jacket, I get nothing. Lots of possibilities on your static problem, but none of then are the fault of grounds in the electrical circuits of the car. As to different static problems, we first noticed them around 1969 or 1970 when I was working as a mechanic. Had quite a few complaints after selling customers new tires. The tire company we used had a rep that said the problem was caused by companies using less carbon in the construction of their tires. Much of the carbon was replaced with silicone products to give tires less rolling resistance. Can't comment on your exact tires, but that possibility also exists.