Maxmo, I'm really afraid you have been took in by this rubbish.

It's an urban legend, just as is using a mobile phone at the petrol pump, the main problems I agree are people not shutting off their engine and the normal Qatari light up a cigarette anywhere you shouldn't.

There is not sufficient charge in the circumsatnces you are talking about to do such things, unless you were totally doused in petrol and you were in a total Nylon bodysuit and had rubbed yourself on your seats as much as a dog in heat. maybe that charge could do it.

The reason for so many static shocks off appliances in this country is down to the poor workmanship of the grounding system in most houses.