Winter Driving – Pulpaddict

Audi RS 3: Born for the Track, Fun in the Snow

Audi RS 3 Snow

YouTubers set out to get the Audi RS 3 stuck in the snow… But it turns out Audi’s compact track weapon still has a lot of rally car capability in its DNA!

TFL Studios recently snagged the Audi RS 3 for review, which is pretty standard for YouTubers and other Auto Journalists. But unlike our track day and drifting adventures in the new RS 3 last year, mother nature had a different plan for Tommy Mica and the TFL team. Nine inches of Rocky Mountain snow. So how does one then properly test and review a 401-horsepower sports sedan with only 4.9-inches of ground clearance?

You try to get it stuck in the snow, of course.

But the RS 3 isn’t just any sports sedan. It descends from a long line of quattro Audis built for Rallycross Championships. And what happens next (which you can watch below) looks like a LOT of fun. Shoed with a fresh set of Pirelli snow tires, the RS3 powers through the snow without issue. Even starting from a stop, the combination of the new all-wheel-drive system and proper rubber made for an unstoppable WRX-in-the-snow rival.

“Dare I say it, [Colorado] feels like the natural home of the Audi brand,” says Roman Mica from behind the camera. “For a few years now, the marketing has been all about the Quattro system, and for a long time, all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive was only for unique vehicles like Jeeps and pickup trucks, but it really became a thing of luxury.”

Behind the wheel, Tommy talks about the different drive modes. For him, what worked for the snow was putting it in Dynamic mode and enabling the traction control to a lower threshold to allow a little bit of wheel spin. He notes that the previous Haldex system did promote a lot more understeer from the front, making it not very confidence-inspiring in low traction conditions. But, the new system makes the RS3 feel like it’s now a “rally beast.”

Kristen Finley

Cars were always a central part of Kristen’s life. It all started with passing tools to her colorfully cursing sailor of a father while he was underneath Chevy Novas from the 1970s. Eventually she was promoted from Tool Monkey to Apprentice – auto mechanics were her first love. Having graduated from California State University, Monterey Bay in 2020 and married a successful mechanic, she spend most of her days reading, writing and talking about what she loves most: cars.

THIS SUNDAY is the most dangerous day to drive

Gareth Herincx

3 days ago
Auto News

Data from Admiral Car Insurance has revealed that December 4th is the worst day of the year to be on the roads.

Analysis of 10 years of Admiral’s own insurance claims show more accidents are registered on this day than any other date.

In fact, of the top 10 dates with the most accidents in the year, 70% fall within December, and all are within the darker winter months (November, December and January).

Top 10 dates for accident claims

Rank	Day
1	4^th December
2	1^stDecember
3	30^thNovember
4	5^th December
5	18^thJanuary
6	20^th December
7	14^th December
8	27^th November
9	10^th December
10	18^th December

Admiral is urging people to be more cautious on the roads with the shorter days and poor weather conditions, especially during the build up to Christmas.

“We know the winter months can bring some of the most difficult situations for motorists to try and navigate, and this probably plays a part in the number of accidents we see taking place on the road at this time of year,” said Lorna Connelly, Head of Claims at Admiral Car Insurance.

“On top of that, the lead up to Christmas can be a stressful time, with many of us having a long list of things to do, and places to be so it’s especially important drivers are well prepared for any trip they make over the festive period.”

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Millions of motorists stop driving during the winter

One in five drivers avoid the roads altogether during the colder months due to concerns …

Millions of motorists stop driving during the winter

Gareth Herincx

4 days ago
Auto News

One in five drivers avoid the roads altogether during the colder months due to concerns over slippery roads and limited visibility.

However, anxieties about driving aren’t limited to the winter — with a third (32 per cent) of adults admitting they don’t like driving in the dark all year round.

And 21 per cent of drivers said they dislike driving on country roads the most, followed by motorways as a close second (18 per cent).

While 14 per cent of motorists said city centre roads make them feel uneasy and 13 per cent hate roundabouts.

The research of 2,000 motorists, commissioned by Zego, also found that 62 per cent would not like to be a delivery driver during the winter and Christmas period, especially having to drive in such difficult conditions.

Nearly four in 10 (39 per cent) are planning on doing their Christmas shopping online this year to avoid having to drive to the shops in the winter weather.

A massive 79 per cent said road traffic accidents they have experienced had put them off driving in the winter months, with more than half saying they are more cautious when driving in harsher conditions like heavy rain or snow.

“It is interesting to see how so many people hate driving through the winter months,” said Sten Saar, CEO of the commercial motor insurer.

“There are more cars on the road because of the Christmas period which naturally means there are more accidents. The weather conditions in particular don’t help.

“It is important to be cautious this time of year and to think about those who have no choice but to drive in such conditions because of their job.

“We are proud to insure the couriers who supply and feed us throughout the darker months, working a job many of us would be scared to do.”

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Watch Lewis Hamilton test the INEOS Grenadier 4×4

Seven-time F1 champion Sir Lewis Hamilton got behind the wheel of the all-new INEOS Grenadier …

Stay safe over the 12 days of Christmas

We’ve teamed up with road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist to offer a selection of safer driving tips for the 12 days of Christmas.

The pressures of the festive season mean it’s often easy to let good habits slip, so now is an ideal time to remember the importance of staying safe on our holiday journeys.

Brushing up on these 12 sensible reminders for safer driving could make the difference between a wonderful Christmas and a not-so-happy ending….

1) Think ahead and book a taxi home. If you’re going to be out celebrating this Christmas, there is one simple rule to remember – drink OR drive. Don’t drive if you’re drinking, and don’t drink if you’re driving.

2) Always wear your seatbelt. Wearing your seatbelt, as a driver or passenger, is the single most effective way to save your life or reduce your injuries if you’re involved in a crash. So, no matter how far you’re driving, always belt up.

3) Keep excited children safe. It’s really important to ensure children are visible if they’re walking by dark roads. And if you’re all in the car, make sure everyone’s seatbelt (and restraint) are correctly fitted… even the older children who you would usually trust to do so themselves.

4) Driving home for Christmas? Plan your journeys in advance. Nobody wants to get caught out in traffic or bad weather, so a little advance planning goes a long way. If the weather’s bad, postpone a trip if possible. Listen to weather forecasts to avoid getting caught out by sudden changes in the conditions.

5) Slow down this Christmas. At this time of year, we often find ourselves rushing from one place to another. But when it comes to driving, rushing can do more harm than good. No one else can tell you how fast to drive – it’s your responsibility. So stay safe, give yourself plenty of time and space to stop if you need to.

6) Don’t drive tired. Think about how you’re feeling before you hit the road. Maybe you’ve been out celebrating or up until the early hours wrapping gifts – whatever the reason, if you’re tired then please don’t drive. Fatigued drivers take longer to react to hazards. Reduce festive fatigue by building in time for breaks on journeys. Also, share the driving if possible.

7) Taking medication? Be ready to stay out of the driving seat if you’re using medicines that could make you drowsy, as these can impair your ability to react to hazards. It’s worth noting that you don’t have to be on illegal drugs to be unfit to drive. Always check the label for warnings, and if unsure please arrange for somebody else to take the wheel.

8) Check your tyres before setting off. Every safety system on your car depends on your tyres working effectively in an emergency. Well-maintained tyres can save your life, so take no risks and check them before you set off, particularly on long journeys.

9) Steer away from e-scooter gifts. They may look fun and fast, but privately-owned e-scooters can only be used on private land – not on public roads, cycle lanes or pavements… something to consider carefully if you’re thinking about buying one as a gift this Christmas.

10) Banish festive family distractions. Long car journeys can be tedious and often require a bit of effort to keep everyone entertained. As driver, reduce the risk of distractions by encouraging passengers – especially children – to let you focus on the driving. In return, give them the chance to let off steam during a break or at journey’s end.

11) Watch out for kids on new bikes. A new bike is a popular gift at Christmas and what child can resist a spin on a smart new set of wheels? As a driver, expect to think – and act – for others who are less aware of risk.

12) New mobile phone for Christmas? Lucky you! But please remember not to use it when you’re driving. Focus solely on the journey and reduce your risks, and save your scrolling until you’re safely parked with the engine off and the key out.

Six ways to protect your car this winter

Winter is well and truly on its way, and the more the weather becomes unpredictable, the more challenging or even dangerous driving becomes.

In fact, the highest percentage of severe car accidents happen between November and January, with drivers 20% more likely to be in an accident over the winter months.

And that’s if you even make it off the driveway, as your car is 18% less likely to start during the winter months.

However, winter driving doesn’t always have to be hazardous if you make sure you are prepared.

To help you get ready for winter, car finance experts Zuto have pulled together all the best tips and tricks to help you prepare your car for the worst of weather.

Check your tyres
When working well, tyres help to prevent skidding and enable you to stop in an accident. As winter approaches, with both handling and stopping becoming more difficult, it is important to make sure your tyres are in good condition.

Although tyres only need a tread depth of 1.6mm, a 3mm depth is safer in winter. A quick and easy way to check this would be to use a 20p coin. When inserting it into the groove of your tyre, if you see the rim of the coin, you’ll need to get your tyres checked out at your local garage. Make sure to check this around the entire width of the tyre and at several points around the circumference.

It may also be worth investing in winter tyres if you live in an area particularly prone to ice or snow.

Refill your fluid
As temperatures drop, both coolant and washer fluid can freeze, so you’ll need to keep them topped up with anti-freeze. Engine coolant should be a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze and you should make sure your winter washer fluid also contains antifreeze.

Check your battery
Winter can be hard on your battery as a drop in temperature can cause your car battery to fail if it’s at the end of its shelf life. This is because the cold weather reduces the output of a battery, so it has to work harder to keep running.

If your battery has been reluctant to start in the summer and autumn months, it’s best to get it checked out by your local garage before it completely refuses to start on a cold morning when you’re running late for work.

Check your windscreen
Windscreen chips often get worse in the winter months thanks to hail and ice. If your screen has any chips, it’s best to get them fixed or the windscreen replaced before they impair visibility. This is especially important with the upcoming frosty weather.

Get a winter service
Although nothing can guarantee that your car won’t break down in the winter, getting a winter service and maintenance check can help to prevent problems associated with the cold weather. This often includes a lights assessment, an oil level replenishment, and windscreen wiper check to make sure that your car is ready for the winter weather. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Pack your winter car kit
Having a winter survival kit can make all the difference if you happen to breakdown in the cold and dark months and you can never be too prepared. This should include key items such as jumper cables, mobile and battery pack, and a torch with fully charged batteries. As well as a blanket, a first aid kit and a supply of food with a bottle of water or flask.

“Many motorists dread the arrival of winter, and all the issues they may face with their vehicles,” says Lucy Sherliker, Head of Customer at Zuto.

“However, as long as you prepare your car properly now, take extra precautions in extreme weather conditions, and stock up on your anti-freeze, you’ll be able to take on the winter roads.”

More winter driving tips from Zuto.