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 good. Yet the vehicle still causes tinnitus. AM radio interference indicates high 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.
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 tolerable. Note that 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. The only concern is the 8 cylinder ignition, which has the distributor behind the engine block, close to the driver. The ignition wires are also relatively long compared to modern cars which place individual coils packs close to the cylinders, reducing the length of the wires. 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. Oh the glory days are far past us! No wonder the mid 60's are considered the peak of western civilization.
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.
The worst car Eli has ever driven is a Saab. He can't go more than 15 minutes without severe chest pain. How ironic that the only country in the world that recognizes Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity produces such a dreadful vehicle.
Here's the list of low-mid frequency magnetic field ratings of various cars.
BMW
1998 BMW 740iL -
Driver: 2.5 mili gauss,
passenger: 20.0 mili gauss.
Driver Rear: 2.5 mili gauss
Passenger Rear: 20.0 mili gauss
2006 BMW X3 -
Driver: 15.0 mili gauss,
passenger: 25.0 mili gauss.
Driver Rear: 12.0 mili gauss
Passenger Rear: 25.0 mili gauss
2009 BMW 328i -
Driver: 5.5 mili gauss,
passenger: 28.0 mili gauss.
Driver Rear: 8.0 mili gauss
Passenger Rear: 25.0 mili gauss
Driver Front Floor: 35.0 mili gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 95.0 mili gauss
Buick
1998 Buick Le Sabre -
Driver: 0.2 mili gauss
passenger: 0.4 mili gauss.
Driver Rear: 0.2 mili gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.2 mili gauss
Chevrolet
1967 Camaro -
Driver: 0.1 mili gauss
1974 Camaro -
Driver: 0.2 mili gauss
passenger: 0.4 mili gauss.
2006 Silverado 1500 -
Driver: 0.2 mili gauss
passenger: 0.1 mili gauss.
Driver Rear: 0.1 mili gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.1 mili gauss
Driver Front Floor: 1.5 mili gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 1.5 mili gauss
Cadillac
1994 Seville -
Driver: 1.5 mili gauss
passenger: 0.8 mili gauss.
Driver Rear: 2.0 mili gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.8 mili gauss
2006 CTS v6 -
Driver: 0.2 mili gauss.
2005 SRX v6 -
Driver: 0.3 mili gauss.
Passenger: 1.2 mili gauss
Driver Rear: 0.8 mili gauss
Passenger Rear: 2.5 mili gauss
2005 SRX v8 -
Driver: 0.3 mili gauss.
Passenger: 1.0 mili gauss
Driver Rear: 0.8 mili gauss
Passenger Rear: 2.5 mili gauss
Driver Front Floor: 2.5 mili gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 2.5 mili gauss
2010 SRX v6 -
Driver: 18.0 mili gauss.
Passenger: 7.0 mili gauss
Driver Rear: 3.5 mili gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.8 mili gauss
Driver Front Floor: 55.0 mili gauss
Passenger Front Floor: 35.0 mili gauss
Chrysler
2006 PT Cruiser ** -
Driver: 0.6 mili gauss.
Passenger: 0.5 mili gauss
Driver Rear: 0.1 mili gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.2 mili gauss
Dodge
2006 Magnum v6 -
Driver: 7.0 mili gauss.
Ford
2006 F150
Driver: 0.4 mili gauss
passenger: 0.4 mili gauss.
Honda
2003 CR-V -
Driver: 3.5 mili gauss
Passenger: 6.0 mili gauss
Jeep
2005 Wrangler -
Driver: 1.4 mili gauss
Passenger: 1.2 mili gauss
Lexus
1993 LS400 -
Driver: 1.0 mili gauss;
Passenger: 2.0 mili gauss
1999 LS430 -
Driver: 1.6 mili gauss;
Passenger: 1.6 mili gauss
Driver Rear: 3.0 mili gauss
Passenger Rear: 1.0 mili gauss
Mercedes
1999 SL600 -
Driver: 15.0 mili gauss
Passenger: 50.0 mili gauss
Driver Rear: 30.0 mili gauss
Passenger Rear: 500 mili gauss
2004 C240 -
Driver: 2.5 mili gauss
Passenger: 2.0 mili gauss
Driver Rear: 3.0 mili gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.4 mili gauss
Mercury
2000 Sable -
Driver: 1.0 mili gauss
Passenger: 1.0 mili gauss
Driver Rear: 0.2 mili gauss
Passenger Rear: 0.9 mili gauss
Nissan
2005 350zx -
Driver: 1.8 mili gauss;
Passenger: 2.5 mili gauss
Oldsmobile
1984 Delta 88 -
Driver: 0.1 mili gauss
Porche
2004 Boxter -
Driver: 35.0 mili gauss;
Passenger: 40.0 mili gauss
Saab
2005 -
Driver: 3.0 mili gauss
Passenger: 1.5 mili gauss
Toyota
2006 Highlander -
Driver: 1.0 mili gauss.
2006 Tundra -
Driver: 7.0 mili gauss
Passenger: 7.0 mili gauss
Subaru
2006 Outback 4 cylinder -
Driver: 3.0 mili gauss.
Volkswagon
2006 Jetta -
Driver: 3.0 mili gauss
Volvo
2006 S60 -
Driver: 15.0 mili gauss, passenger: 3.0 mili gauss.
Driver Rear: 15.0 mili gauss
Passenger Rear: 4.0 mili 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.
** Field increases with engine RPM. Measured at 2200 RPM
You can’t beat the satellite tv services you get when you shop at InternetLion.com! Check them out today!