The AC magnetic field impinged on the driver (passenger) of various makes and models is provided *.
In general the intensity of the magnetic field provides a fair indication of how offensive a car may be. Magnetic fields are measured with gauss meters. One can obtain a meter such as the Trifield 100XE at various on-line stores such as LessEMF. Click on "EMF Meters & Detectors". The Trifield is under the category of "Combination Meters" because it measures magnetic, electric and Radio Frequency (RF) fields.
The first priority is to get a car with a low magnetic field. However, the measured magnetic field doesn't tell the whole story and should not be the sole criteria used in investigating a car.
For instance the magnetic field in the cabin of the Silverado is probably lowest of any modern vehicle. That is great because it doesn't cause chest pains, yet the vehicle still causes tinnitus. AM radio interference indicates pelting of EMF from the ignition system. Pulsed noise from the ignition is not detected by either gauss or RF meters. There is also a computer just under the steering column (directly in front of the driver) which was also detected by an AM radio. Additionally, the main fuse panel is on the driver's side, the battery is on the driver's side, and there's a very high magnetic field throughout the entire engine compartment.
Therefore, in the case of the Silverado the relatively low magnetic field at the vicinity of the driver can be deceiving. As we have seen with the Low Emission Computer ambient measurements can be negligible yet the computer can still cause devastating symptoms. Even if one doesn't initially feel any symptoms, in time one can become sensitized by the various low intensity frequencies of the EMF. It is therefore imperative to drive a vehicle on a long trip before committing to buy it. Nonetheless, the short ignition wires tame the effects of the ignition, making this truck tolerable, so it's a keeper.
Of all the cars listed, the most tolerable modern vehicle (that Eli has personal experience driving) is the 2005 Cadillac SRX (6 cylinder). Note: It's only the driver's seat that has the low magnetic field. The passenger seat and rear of the car have elevated magnetic fields and are not as tolerable. Also, the magnetic field throughout the tested 2005 SRX v6 is elevated only when it's dark out and the headlights are on - the field is low during the day with the headlights on. The measurements indicated below are with the lights off. A 2005 SRX v8 did not show an elevated field at all with the lights on, so it may be an isolated incident. The revamped 2010 SRX model is a magnetic hazard, so the low EMF SRX's are from 2005-2009. A few fundamental aspects of its design are beneficial for the driver, including:
- the battery is on the passenger side of the car.
- the main fuse panel is on the passenger side.
- the magnetic field under the hood (engine compartment) is relatively low on the drivers side.
- there are no computers near the driver.
- the ignition of the six cylinder engine emits relatively mild EMF.
Let's face it. Modern vehicles are laden with electronic gadgets, which leads us to investigate older vehicles. For instance the 1967 Camaro has a very low magnetic field in the interior. The biggest concern, which should not be taken lightly, is the 8 cylinder ignition which has a distributor behind the engine block, near the center of the firewall. The ignition wires are also very long compared to modern cars which place individual coils packs close to the cylinders, reducing the length of the wires (as with the Silverado). This particular vehicle has been retrofitted with a modern, electronic, High Energy Ignition (HEI) which has a hotter spark (40,000 volts) than the original points system (18,000 volts) and may explain why this car causes some chest pains (more on this when the original points ignition is re-installed). The metal dash must have beneficial shielding attributes. Needless to say there are no computers aboard, no electronic instruments, no electric fuel pump, no electronic fuel injection, and the interior dash lights are dimmed with a rheostat rather than an electronic switching mechanism. GM really blew it with the 2011 Camaro coming in at a whopping 50 milli gauss (100 for passenger)! The highest rating of any tested vehicle.
Probably the lowest EMF car one can get is a 1985 or older diesel Mercedes. That is if you and your neighbors can tolerate the exhaust fumes. It probably doesn't have air recirculation which is absolutely essential on today's stinking roads.
Besides the 2011 Camaro and BMWs, one of the worst cars is a Saab. How ironic it is that the only country in the world that recognizes Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity as a disability would produce such a dreadful vehicle.
Here's the list of low-mid frequency magnetic field ratings of various cars.
Audi
2011 A4 ** -
Driver: 35.0 milli gauss,
passenger: 7.0 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 75.0 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 4.0 milli gauss
Driver Front Floor: 100.0 milli gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 15.0 milli gauss
BMW
1998 BMW 740iL -
Driver: 2.5 milli gauss,
passenger: 20.0 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 2.5 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 20.0 milli gauss
2006 BMW X3 -
Driver: 15.0 milli gauss,
passenger: 25.0 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 12.0 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 25.0 milli gauss
2009 BMW 328i -
Driver: 5.5 milli gauss,
passenger: 28.0 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 8.0 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 25.0 milli gauss
Driver Front Floor: 35.0 milli gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 95.0 milli gauss
2010 BMW 528xi -
Driver: 5.5 milli gauss,
passenger: 13.0 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 15.0 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 35.0 milli gauss
Driver Front Floor: 95.0 milli gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 50.0 milli gauss
2011 BMW 535i ** -
Driver: 3.5 milli gauss,
passenger: 7.0 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 4.0 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 15.0 milli gauss
Driver Front Floor: 35.0 milli gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 100.0 milli gauss
Buick
2011 LaCross -
Driver: 2.0 milli gauss
Driver Front Floor: 12.0 milli gauss.
1998 Buick Le Sabre -
Driver: 0.2 milli gauss
passenger: 0.4 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 0.2 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.2 milli gauss
Chevrolet
2012 Impala -
Driver: 0.2 (0.4 pulse) milli gauss
passenger: 0.3 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 0.2 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.2 milli gauss
Driver Front Floor: 3.0 (5.0 pulse) milli gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 12.0 milli gauss
2011 Camaro (6 Cyl) -
Driver: 50.0 milli gauss
passenger: 100.0 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 35.0 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 35.0 milli gauss
Driver Front Floor: 100.0+ milli gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 100.0+ milli gauss
2011 Malibu -
Driver: 3.5 milli gauss
passenger: 1.5 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 1.0 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 3.0 milli gauss
Driver Front Floor: 10.0 milli gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 3.0 milli gauss
2010 Impala -
Driver: 0.2 milli gauss
passenger: 1.0 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 0.2 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.2 milli gauss
Driver Front Floor: 2.0 milli gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 35.0 milli gauss
1967 Camaro -
Driver: 0.1 milli gauss
1974 Camaro -
Driver: 0.2 milli gauss
passenger: 0.4 milli gauss.
2006 Silverado 1500 -
Driver: 0.2 milli gauss
passenger: 0.1 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 0.1 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.1 milli gauss
Driver Front Floor: 1.5 milli gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 1.5 milli gauss
Cadillac
1994 Seville -
Driver: 1.5 milli gauss
passenger: 0.8 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 2.0 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.8 milli gauss
2006 CTS v6 -
Driver: 0.2 milli gauss.
2005 SRX v6 -
Driver: 0.3 milli gauss.
Passenger: 1.0 milli gauss
Driver Rear: 0.3 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 1.5 milli gauss
Driver Front Floor: 2.0 milli gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 2.0 milli gauss
2005 SRX v8 -
Driver: 0.3 milli gauss.
Passenger: 1.0 milli gauss
Driver Rear: 0.8 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 2.5 milli gauss
Driver Front Floor: 2.5 milli gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 2.5 milli gauss
2010 SRX v6 -
Driver: 18.0 mili gauss.
Passenger: 7.0 milli gauss
Driver Rear: 3.5 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.8 milli gauss
Driver Front Floor: 55.0 milli gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 35.0 milli gauss
Chrysler
2006 PT Cruiser ** -
Driver: 0.6 milli gauss.
Passenger: 0.5 milli gauss
Driver Rear: 0.1 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.2 milli gauss
Dodge
2006 Magnum v6 -
Driver: 7.0 milli gauss.
Ford
2006 F150
Driver: 0.4 milli gauss
passenger: 0.4 milli gauss.
Honda
2003 CR-V -
Driver: 3.5 milli gauss
Passenger: 6.0 milli gauss
Jeep
2005 Wrangler -
Driver: 1.4 milli gauss
Passenger: 1.2 milli gauss
Lexus
1993 LS400 -
Driver: 1.0 milli gauss;
Passenger: 2.0 milli gauss
2001 LS430 -
Driver: 1.6 milli gauss;
Passenger: 1.6 milli gauss
Driver Rear: 3.0 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 1.0 milli gauss
Mercedes
1999 SL600 -
Driver: 15.0 milli gauss
Passenger: 50.0 milli gauss
Driver Rear: 30.0 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 500 milli gauss
2004 C240 -
Driver: 2.5 milli gauss
Passenger: 2.0 milli gauss
Driver Rear: 3.0 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.4 milli gauss
2010 Mercedes GLK 350 -
Driver: 2.0 milli gauss,
passenger: 3.0 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 0.6 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 2.8 milli gauss
Driver Front Floor: 25.0 milli gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 35.0 milli gauss
Mercury
2000 Sable -
Driver: 1.0 milli gauss
Passenger: 1.0 milli gauss
Driver Rear: 0.2 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.9 milli gauss
Nissan
2005 350zx -
Driver: 1.8 milli gauss;
Passenger: 2.5 milli gauss
Oldsmobile
1984 Delta 88 -
Driver: 0.1 milli gauss
Porche
2004 Boxter -
Driver: 35.0 milli gauss;
Passenger: 40.0 milli gauss
Saab
2005 -
Driver: 3.0 milli gauss
Passenger: 1.5 milli gauss
Toyota
2005 Camry v6 -
Driver: 3.0 milli gauss,
passenger: 3.0 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 0.8 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.3 milli gauss
Driver Front Floor: 90.0 milli gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 90.0 milli gauss
2006 Highlander -
Driver: 1.0 milli gauss.
2006 Tundra -
Driver: 7.0 milli gauss
Passenger: 7.0 mili gauss
Subaru
2006 Outback 4 cylinder -
Driver: 3.0 milli gauss.
Volkswagon
2006 Jetta -
Driver: 3.0 milli gauss
Volvo
2006 S60 -
Driver: 15.0 milli gauss, passenger: 3.0 milli gauss.
Driver Rear: 15.0 milli gauss
Passenger Rear: 4.0 milli gauss
* measurements were taken with a TriField meter at the breast of a 5' 10" individual sitting in the front seat with all accessories off (including interior light dimmers). The measurements are taken as far away from outside power lines or other external sources of EMF as possible.
These are not exact mesasurements, some may vary depending on the current conditions.
Most of the magnetic field is produced by the alternator and ignition. Yet something as simple as a dimmed interior light, or a built-in navigation system can cause an elevated field.
** Field increases with engine RPM. Measured at 2200 RPM