Are hybrid cars slower than regular cars?

Do hybrid cars sacrifice speed for better fuel-efficiency?

AutoGearhead: In this article, John Fuller has explaination, are hybrid cars slower than regular cars? Part of America's love affair with cars is the desire for speed. Sure, we're attached to automobiles for several other reasons they get us comfortably from one point to the next, and we're even willing to sit through grueling traffic jams in them just to get to work or to the grocery store. But the rumble of the engine, the whine of the gears shifting upwards and the wind flowing through an open window is a common, iconic image. It's probably no coincidence that lots of American road movies include montages that attempt to convey that sort of feeling.

The rising popularity of hybrid cars within the auto industry, however, is changing that familiar perception. For one, most fuel-efficient vehicles don't necessarily rumble. In fact, most employ a function that allows the gasoline engine to stop running while sitting in traffic, coasting or even when the car is driving at lower speeds. Instead, a hybrid vehicle uses a quieter electric motor to conserve fuel and produce fewer emissions.

But despite being known for having good fuel efficiency and promoting eco-friendly driving, some have criticized hybrid vehicles for a variety of reasons. Some have questioned, for instance, the reliability of hybrid battery packs, claiming that they tend to be faulty and that they're expensive to replace. This is largely untrue, and nearly every car company producing a hybrid vehicle guarantees their battery pack for the life of the car.

Other critics, at least those that have grown accustomed to faster speeds associated with modern gasoline-powered cars, have noted that hybrid cars are typically slower than regular automobiles. The claim is that by focusing on fuel-efficiency and lower emissions, hybrid cars are sacrificing higher speeds and more power, slowing down their performance. Because this doesn't gel with the typical image of the fast American car, some drivers are a little turned off by this.

So, are hybrid cars really slower than regular cars? Why is this? And is that really the point for someone concerned about green driving?

While hybrids can reach relatively high speeds,
it's good acceleration that some models lack.

Hybrid Engine Performance

When most people buy a hybrid car, they usually do so with the understanding that there's going to be some kind of compromise between power and eco-friendly driving. The reason hybrid vehicles have become such a buzz topic and a go-to model for the auto industry recently is because of that compromise. As concerns increase over global warming, caused in part by carbon emissions resulting from vehicle fuel consumption, the power provided by a gasoline engine coupled with the fuel-saving qualities of an electric motor seem like the best possible combination.

But are fuel-efficient vehicles significantly slower than regular cars? To see if hybrid cars crawl on the road rather than zip along, we have to look into hybrid engine performance. Generally speaking, the engine in a hybrid car is almost always smaller than the engine in a comparable non-hybrid car. Smaller engines usually equal less horsepower and less torque. To get good fuel efficiency, hybrids operate from a standing start using only the electric motor, which typically provides much less horsepower and torque than a gasoline-powered engine. These two systems work together, however, to ensure hybrids can save fuel in the city and drive at faster speeds on the highway or even climb steep hills.

In short, hybrid cars won't be maxing out at 45 miles per hour (72 kilometers per hour) on the highway, endangering -- or at the very least, angering other drivers on the road, but they won't go quite as fast as most regular cars, either. While many all-electric vehicles have significantly lower top speeds and some are even a little bit unstable on the highway, hybrid cars get enough power from the gasoline engine to go as fast as 100 miles per hour (161 kilometers per hour). The real matter for hybrids is in acceleration. Since the smaller electric motors that most automakers use don't produce much horsepower, a relatively fast hybrid car can go from zero to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) in about six seconds, while a more typical hybrid car's zero to 60 time hovers around the 10 second mark. For some people, that's a little too slow.

How are the carmakers responding? Well, some are developing faster hybrid cars with larger, V-6 engines and more powerful electric motors. Hybrid technology developer Frazer-Nash Research and Italian design firm Italdesign Giugiaro, for instance, worked together to build the Namir, a concept plug-in hybrid that can go from zero to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 187 miles per hour (301 kilometers per hour). The Namir's range is also 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers), so anyone with the need for speed and an itch for green driving should look toward Italy. (John Fuller)

Sources:

• Aziz, Nick. "Frazer-Nash Namir by Giugiaro: World's fastest plug-in hybrid." LeftLaneNews.com. March 3, 2009. (April 27, 2009)
• Siler, Wes. "2010 Mercedes ML450 Hybrid: V8 Power With V6 Fuel Economy." Jalopnik.com. April 8, 2009. (April 27, 2009)
• Wald, Matthew L. "Hybrid Cars Burning Gas in the Drive for Power." The New York Times. July 17, 2005. (April 27, 2009

This video below, will describe about a Blue TEC hybrid features, an additional magneto-electric motor and a 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission specially configured for the hybrid module, the necessary operating and control electronics, the transformer and a high-voltage lithium-ion battery.

During braking the electric motor acts as a generator and is able to recover kinetic energy by a process known as recuperation. During this process the electric motor works together seamlessly with the engine brake of the internal combustion engine and the conventional wheel brakes. The recuperated energy is stored by a compact but efficient lithium-ion battery in the engine compartment and retrieved when required. Major advantages over conventional nickel/metal hydride batteries include a higher energy density and greater electrical efficiency combined with more compact dimensions and a low battery weight. Thanks to space-saving installation in the engine compartment, the trunk capacity and generous interior dimensions remain unchanged. The hybrid module also has a convenient start-stop function.

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From the 1970s to the all new Honda Civic 2012

2012 Honda Civic

AutoGearhead: The Honda Motor Company is no stranger to innovation in its road cars. It was one of founder Soichiro Honda’s core principles and the company’s history books are filled with examples of great technical achievements. With the launch of the all-new Honda civic, we thought we’d take a look back at the contributions that Honda have made to the automotive industry over the years.

Honda has always placed great emphasis on research and development, employing some of the best engineers in the automotive industry, which was evident way back in 1963, when it launched its first road car - the S500. With a high-revving twin-cam engine and chain-drive to the wheels, this was innovative stuff and a warning to other car makers of what was to come.

The 1970s: compound vortex controlled combustion (CVCC)

By the 1970s, America was waking up to the need to drastically improve the exhaust emissions from vehicles, and Honda wowed the car industry with an amazing new design. For the 1972 Civic, Honda stole a march on competitors by announcing their patented ‘CVCC’ combustion chamber - doing away with the need for a catalytic convertor while still passing tough Federal emissions laws.

The 1980s: variable valve time and electronic lift control

With strong roots in motorsport, Honda was never going to forget performance fans and 1988 saw the launch of‘Variable Valve Timing and Electronic Lift Control’ or VTEC as we all know it. A sophisticated system that allowed the engine to shift between two different camshaft profiles for maximum performance and driveability, VTEC introduced drivers to a whole new experience of sonorous, high-revving petrol engines. The technology reached its zenith in the awesome NSX which was just around the corner…

The 1990s: The NSX and EVs

The nineties was the decade that will always be remembered for the launch of the incredible NSX supercar. With a powerful VTEC engine, aluminium suspension and handling tuned by the late, great Ayrton Senna, the NSX redefined the supercar for a whole new generation. But it wasn’t all about performance. With stringent zero-emissions regulations looming in the US, Honda turned its engineering brains to the electric vehicle. Not only did it put an EV into production but it revolutionised battery technology along the way!

2000 and Beyond: designing for the future

Honda continued to bring us exciting concept cars, showcasing everything from advanced power trains and electronics to Space Age materials and construction. And while you can’t buy them, they certainly influence the cars you and I will buy in the future. And speaking of the future, step forward the Honda FCX Clarity, the world’s first commercially available fuel cell vehicle. Powered by hydrogen, the FCX is extremely efficient and its only tailpipe emission is water!

2010 and beyond: the Honda Civic

Continuing the trend for innovation and technology brings us to the new-for-2012 Civic. Petrol engines get the latest i-VTEC system, a redesigned cylinder head, and a host of lighter components while the diesel – a 2.2 litre i-DTEC unit – receives more extensive changes including new materials to make the engine stronger and lighter. A revised oil-flow system and redesigned internal components reduce internal friction, while a further boost to economy comes from a new ‘Idle Stop’ system on manual models. This shuts the engine down when the car is stationary – saving fuel when stuck in traffic – and restarts instantly when you are ready to go.

Aerodynamics too have come in for plenty of attention and the many hours spent in the wind tunnel have certainly paid off. Careful re-shaping of the rear spoiler and lights, and under-body panelling improves the flow of air, particularly at motorway speeds. A new grille shutter system for the diesels uses information such as air temperature, water temperature and speed, to optimise cooling and reduce drag.

ECO assist can improve economy by up to 15%, tells the driver when to change gear and even changes the colour of the speedometer from blue to green when you are being light-footed. Added to this is the ‘ECON’ button in the cabin which changes various settings, including throttle mapping and the air-conditioning system, to further maximise economy.

There is more technology inside with a new colour information screen for the driver. Called i-MID the screen displays a range of information including audio system and climate control settings and the status of the Idle Stop system. And on the safety front, the new ‘Collision Mitigation Braking System’ monitors the distance from the car in front and if a collision is imminent, provides assistance to the brakes and tightens the seatbelts to provide maximum protection for occupants.

The new Honda Civic 2012 is the culmination of over 40 years of automotive innovation from Honda. (adv)

A review of the 2012 Honda Civic from a consumers perspective. LotPro's Editor of Automotive Content, Steve Cypher test drives and reviews the new 2012 Honda Civic.

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Understanding Crash Test

Ford Fusion Crash Test

AutoGearhead: You know why cars have been getting safer? Its because of a well-established testing program. In this article, you'll know about automotive crash testing. You'll be amazed at how much thought and preparation goes into making sure that safe cars are on the roads. A crash test is a form of destructive testing usually performed in order to ensure safe design standards in crashworthiness and crash compatibility for various modes of transportation or related systems and components.


Types of Crash Test

• Frontal-impact tests: which is what most people initially think of when asked about a crash test. These are usually impacts upon a solid concrete wall at a specified speed, but can also be vehicle-vehicle tests. SUVs have been singled out in these tests for a while, due to the high ride-height that they often have.
• Offset tests: in which only part of the front of the car impacts with a barrier (vehicle). These are important, as impact forces (approximately) remain the same as with a frontal impact test, but a smaller fraction of the car is required to absorb all of the force. These tests are often realized by cars turning into oncoming traffic. This type of testing is done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), EuroNCAP and Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
• Side-impact tests: these forms of accidents have a very significant likelihood of fatality, as cars do not have a significant crumple zone to absorb the impact forces before an occupant is injured.
• Roll-over tests: which tests a car's ability (specifically the pillars holding the roof) to support itself in a dynamic impact. More recently dynamic rollover tests have been proposed as opposed to static crush testing.
• Roadside hardware crash tests: are used to ensure crash barriers and crash cushions will protect vehicle occupants from roadside hazards, and also to ensure that guard rails, sign posts, light poles and similar appurtenances do not pose an undue hazard to vehicle occupants.
• Old versus new: Often an old and big car against a small and new car, or two different generations of the same car model. These tests are performed to show the advancements in crashworthiness.
• Computer model: Because of the cost of full-scale crash tests, engineers often run many simulated crash tests using computer models to refine their vehicle or barrier designs before conducting live tests.

Crash Test Major providers

1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States, specifically the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) and New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)
2. European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP)
3. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States
4. Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP)
5. Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC) in Germany
6. Japan New Car Assessment Program (JNCAP)
7. China New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP)

Reference: en.wikipedia.com

Euro NCAP, Peugeot 3008 Crash Test: Frontal Impact takes place at 64 Km/h, 40% of the width of the car striking a deformable barrier. In the side impact, a mobile deformable barrier impacts the driver's door at 50 km/h. In the pole test, the car tested is propelled sideways at 29km/h into a rigid pole.

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Tips to Prepare Your Car for Winter Season

AutoGearhead: The changing of the seasons is a great time to check out what your car needs to gear up for cold, wet, winter driving conditions. During winter season, make sure your car is prepared well. Get your vehicle ready for winter and learning what it takes to drive safely through ice and snow could save your life. In this article, I'll tell you what your car needs to make it through winter and what to pack before you take a winter road trip.

To help ensure both you and your car stay out of harm’s way this winter, here are few simple tips could keep your car running all winter long.

Get your car serviced
The peace of mind a professional check could offer is well worth paying for. Therefore before the winter weather gets any worse, it’s a good idea to book your car into a garage and have it looked over by a mechanic. Fixing any mechanical problems now will hopefully reduce the risk you will break down at a later date. 

Lubricate door locks
Lubricate the door and trunk locks, as well as the hood locking mechanism so they won't freeze. It's also a good idea to lubricate hinges of the hood, doors and the trunk. Clean and lubricate the door rails if your vehicle has sliding doors.

Wipers, windshield washer fluid
Windshield wipers are very critical to winter driving; consider installing winter wipers. Make sure you replace summer washer fluid with special winter windshield washer fluid that won't freeze. If the washer jets don't spray properly, clean and adjust them. Good visibility is important - don't forget to clean your windshield and other windows from inside as well.

Battery Check
Mostly, there is no way to tell when the battery will decide to quit - sometimes it happens unexpectedly with no prior signs. However, if you feel that cranking speed is slower than before, the battery is probably close to its end. Have your battery tested, especially if it is more than 2-3 years old. A dead battery is one of the most common causes for a no-start during winter. Make sure the battery terminals are tight and not corroded. Corroded terminals will cause troubles.

Corroded terminals

Winter tires
Consider installing good-quality winter tires. Winter tires are specifically designed to improve traction on snow-covered or icy roads. Many dealerships will store your off-season tires if you purchase tires with them. There may be a small fee, but it's worth it for the convenience.
If you have alloy wheels, especially those with wide performance tires, consider purchasing winter tires pre-installed on steel rims instead of changing tires only - it's easy to damage alloy rims during winter and they are usually not repairable. There is less labour involved in changing tires that are already installed on the rims, so the charge is usually less. Winter tires need to be installed on all four wheels. Don't skimp on safety.
While winter tires have better traction on winter roads than all-season tires, they are not foolproof; drive carefully in winter conditions. Winter tires wear faster on dry roads in warm weather; don't forget to remove them when the winter season is over.

Pump up your winter tires
Don't forget to use your winter tires. To help lower the risk of skidding, check both your car's tire condition and pressure are correct before you drive. The current legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, but during the winter months it is a sensible idea to ensure your tyres have at least 3mm of tread depth.
This should also help increase your car's fuel efficiency and lower your petrol costs as you won’t have to put your foot down as hard on the accelerator.

Look after your lights
Dark mornings and dark evenings can make driving extremely dangerous. It is therefore crucial to ensure all your lights are clean and working properly. Always replace any broken bulbs immediately. If you don't, you will not only find it difficult to see the road clearly, you run the risk of not being seen by other drivers. Make sure you know where your front and back fog lights are.

Fill up your fuel
Before you hit the road, make sure you have sufficient fuel in the tank. This also will reduce condensation, making your vehicle easier to start on cold mornings.The last thing you want in the cold weather is to run out of petrol and be stuck on the side of the road somewhere.
It is also important to check you have the right level of oil in your car, and top it up if it gets too low.

Ensure you can see
Winter weather can make it more difficult to see clearly when you are driving. To help lower the risk of having an accident always make sure the windscreen is clean and clear, you have plenty of screenwash and your wiper blades are in good condition. If your windows are covered in frost, make sure you de-ice them before driving and don’t forget to clear your mirrors too.
When you're warming up your car, never leave your car unattended with the keys in the ignition and the doors unlocked. You only need to turn your back for a second and an opportunist thief could jump in and drive off.

Drive safely
Finally, make sure you take extra care on the roads. Allow more time for journeys and try to avoid rushing. Keep a safe distance from the car in front, and leave more time to brake and accelerate in wet or icy conditions. If there is snow and ice on the roads, use high gears to reduce the need for sudden deceleration or acceleration. And in the fog watch your speed as fog can give the impression of slow motion in oncoming traffic.
If you can it's a good idea to avoid driving in the dark and bad weather altogether as the number of accidents increase during these conditions. Wherever possible try to use major routes which have been gritted or salted. Be aware that not everyone on the road will be experienced in driving in these types of conditions so remain alert at all times.

A winter accident could leave you stuck on the side of the road. Packing your car with a few essentials will help keep you safe and ready for whatever conditions pop up on your trip. It is a sensible idea to put together an emergency winter survival kit so that you are prepared should you break down or have an accident. Remember to include a torch, warm clothes, blankets, food, ice scraper and a first aid kit. Here are tips for packing Your Car during Winter TripsIt's also important to always carry a fully charged mobile phone and the number of your car breakdown service with you so that you can call for help should you need it. A car charger for the phone is also a smart device to keep in the car.

Be prepared for an emergency. Store a kit of emergency items in your trunk.

1. Always store a snow/ice scraper and a shovel in your vehicle. A first aid kit is another must-have item to keep on hand. It should include all the usual items plus winter extras like flashlights, a fresh supply of batteries, blankets, matches, extra clothes, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks. Peanuts and granola bars are good protein- and carbohydrate-rich foods.
2. For rear-wheel drive vehicles, you might want to keep a small bag of sand in your trunk to create traction under the tires if you get stuck. The bulk of a vehicle's weight is the engine, in the front of the car. If the car is driven by it's rear wheels instead of its front wheels, the heavy front end and light back end makes the car prone to slide around an ice- or snow-covered road.

Tod Pritchard from ReadyWisconsin gives a quick lesson on what to include in a winter survival kit for your car.

References:
samarins.com, auto.howstuffworks.com, independent.co.uk

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Winter Tire FAQs

Photo: Bridgestone.it

AutoGearhead: Gee... it's getting cold outside!! I will try to warm your room with this article :) In previous article, we have talk about winter driving safety tips, now we'll talk about winter tires. Winter tires have a conception of the aggressive tread that gives a better grip while throwing the snow and slush, which gives more stability during braking and better management of vehicles. The compound of winter tires is relatively mild.
The rubber of all-season tire begins to lose elasticity and harden at temperatures around -8 ° C to -10 ° C, reducing traction. At -15 ° C, this type of tires have lost its elasticity, while a winter tire will harden to about -40 ° C – it retains its elasticity for a very long time.

Taken from www.cars.about.com, Aaron Gold has shared information about winter tires frequently asked questions.

Q: What makes snow tires different from regular tires?

A: Snow tires (also known as winter tires) have tread patterns specifically designed to dig down and bite into snow and ice, plus they are made from softer rubber compounds that retain their flexibility in cold weather, allowing the tire to better conform to the surface of the road. (Regular tires tend to get hard and brittle in cold temperatures.) As a result, winter tires keep a better grip on snowy and icy surfaces than regular all-season or summer tires. Grip is critical. Not just to avoid getting stuck, but to ensure that the car can stop and steer. Life-saving safety technologies such as antilock brakes, electronic stability control and all-wheel-drive cannot do their jobs if the tires can't maintain their grip on the road surface.

Q: My car has all-season tires. Aren't those good enough?

A: Not really, no.  All-season (also known as all-weather) tires are designed to cope with all sorts of conditions, including dry roads and rain, but are not optimized for any one condition. They are generally made from harder materials that don't conform to the road surface as well in low temperatures. Think of all-season tires as sneakers and snow tires as heavy-duty snow boots. It is possible to walk down a snowy, icy sidewalk wearing sneakers -- but it's a lot easier and safer to do it with proper snow boots.

Q: Can I put snow tires on just the drive wheels of my car?

A: Putting just two snow tires on your car is a bad idea. If you have a front-wheel-drive car and put snow tires on the front only, the back wheels won't have anywhere near as much grip as the front wheels. This will make the car much more likely to spin out while braking or cornering. Likewise, if you put snow tires on the just back wheels of a rear-wheel-drive car, the wheels that do the steering won't grip as well as those that provide the power, so the car may not respond when the steering wheel is turned -- it will simply plow straight ahead. Always install snow tires as a full set of four.

Q: Can I leave my snow tires on all year?

A: You can, but it's not a good idea. Snow tires tend to be noisier, plus the softer compounds from which they are made means they will wear out faster, especially in warm weather. Wear is critical, because winter tires rely on their deep tread to dig into snow and ice. As soon as the snow is gone for good, remove your snow tires and reinstall your regular tires. The good news: Since you're savvy enough to use snow tires, you don't need to stick with the all-season tires that came with your car for the rest of the year -- you can choose a "summer" tire that will provide better handling, better traction in the rain, or a smoother, quieter ride.

Q: Unmounting one set of tires and mounting another at the beginning and end of winter is a pain. Is there an easier way?

A: Yes! Buy an extra set of wheels from a salvage yard and use those for your snow tires. The wheels don't have to be the exact same design, so long as they are the same diameter and have the same bolt pattern as your car's original wheels. If you've purchased aftermarket wheels, keep the stock wheels and use those for your snow tires. That way, when it comes time to change from summer tires to snow tires, all you have to do is have the wheels changed -- a quick and inexpensive job.

This video shows just how much difference they can make: up to 50% reduced braking distance on snow. Winter tyres are made with a higher percentage of natural rubber meaning they remain more supple at temperatures below 7º C.

By purchasing and installing winter tires, you have to remember the following:

1. Install four winter tires - To help maintain control and stability of the vehicle in icy conditions, always use a set of four winter tires.
2. Mixing tires with different models of internal structure and size affect the stability of the vehicle and should be avoided.
3. As a tire wears, traction is reduced by the snow. The tires are used near the wear indicators have reduced traction and should not be used on roads with snow or in severe snow conditions.
4. The correct air pressure for longer tread life, improves safety and reduces fuel consumption – all vital factors in saving energy and protecting the environment. Tire pressure decreases as the temperature drops, so be sure to check the pressure at least once a month when the tires are cold, preferably after the car has been out all night. (*)

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Winter Driving Safety Tips

Driving in snowy conditions

Auto gearhead: In the northern hemisphere, winter has begun, including in US and Europe. In this article I will share important informations about driving tips in snowy and icy conditions. This winter driving tips is taken from the National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Washington State Government Information & Services.

The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it. Don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination. If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared, and that you know how to handle road conditions. It's helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you're familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner's manual for tips specific to your vehicle.

Driving safely on icy roads

1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
6. Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
8. Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
9. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid

1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.
3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse this is normal.

If your front wheels skid

1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck

1. Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
2. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
3. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
4. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
5. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
6. Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first it can damage the transmission on some vehicles). Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

Sources:
National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Washington State Government Information & Services.

Winter driving tips from Audi driving instructor Harald Büttner. 

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Audi Unveiled “A1 SAMURAI BLUE” at The Tokyo Auto Show 2011

 The Audi A1 Samurai Blue

AutoGearhead: Audi has unveiled a unique A1 at the Tokyo Motor Show: Glistening in the colors of the Japanese national soccer team, the Audi A1 SAMURAI BLUE shows Audi’s respect for the Japanese national soccer team. Audi plans to sell the SAMURAI BLUE as a one-off model and donate a part of the profit for a charity.

“Blue Samurai” is the nickname for Japan’s national soccer team. Blue and white are the colors of the soccer jerseys for both men and women. The Japanese men are the reigning Asian champions, while the women have been even more successful in the world soccer arena: this year they won the championship title in the World Soccer Cup held in Germany.

Blue and white are also the colors of the Audi A1 SAMURAI BLUE, accentuated by the red of the Japanese flag. The 18-inch wheels with their exclusive polygonal design are likewise painted red. The interior equipment is black, with contrasting stitching in blue and corresponding colorful accents for the air vent nozzles, inlays, center console and floor mats. With its powerful 1.4 TFSI engine and 90 kW (122 hp), the A1 SAMURAI BLUE has strong acceleration and high speed, while the sports suspension with 225 millimeter wide, 18-inch wheels give the car the agility of a top league soccer star.

An Audi A1 Limited Edition is also planned to sell in 2012, with its design based on the SAMURAI BLUE.

Source: http://www.audi.com/

Audi A1 'Samurai Blue' and A1 Sportback unveiled at 2011 Tokyo Motor Show

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