Latest news with #ADAC
The Star
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Your car is sinking in water: What do you do, with mere seconds to act?
If you found yourself in a car quickly sinking into water, would you know what to do? You've got seconds to act, according to new research, and an escape through a side window appears to be your best option. — Photo: Rasmus Kaessmann/ADAC/dpa A nice drive along a river winding through the countryside has suddenly turned into a potentially fatal accident: your car is in the water. What should you do? You won't have much time to act. A submersion test by German motoring organisation ADAC at a several-metre-deep water basin used to test army tanks found that an electric Citroën ë-C4 sank in about three minutes, while an internal combustion-engined Seat Exeo took about a minute longer. In the test, a specially trained diver stayed in the submerged cars and tried out various ways of getting out. The conclusion was that you need to stay calm, but act as quickly as possible. Immediately after the car hits the water, you should free yourself from the seatbelt, try to open the nearest side window and then climb out that way. In the worst-case scenario the electric window regulator in the door may fail because of the water getting at it, which will mean you can't open the window. However, in modern cars the control systems are at least waterproof enough to keep them working for a while. In the electric car used in the ADAC test, neither the high-voltage system nor the on-board electrical system showed any abnormalities after the first dive. In older cars, however, a short circuit could occur more quickly, but the water still has to reach those parts so the sooner you move to get out, the better. If the side windows won't open, you'll have to try to break them. ADAC recommends always having an emergency hammer and a seatbelt cutter in your car. If you don't have a hammer, you can try using any heavy or sharp object that's to hand in the car. If you found yourself in a car quickly sinking into water, would you know what to do? You've got seconds to act, according to new research, and an escape through a side window appears to be your best option. — Photo: Rasmus Kaessmann/ADAC/dpa - ATTENTION: editorial use only in connection with the aforementioned text and only if the credit mentioned above is referenced in full Aim at the corners of the side windows The test found that the best place to hit the window is in one of the corners because they're not able to absorb an impact as well as the centre can and so break more quickly. However, breaking the side windows only worked in the test if the car didn't have double glazing. In that case, the only alternative when the windows are closed is to smash the rear window, which is usually single-pane. But that isn't easy and needs to be done quickly. The car, pulled down by its engine in the front, will be sinking steeply downward so you'll need to climb upwards to the rear window. Luggage and other objects could block your way. Don't try to break the windscreen. "This is not recommended because windscreens are usually made of laminated glass and are therefore almost impossible to break," explains ADAC spokesperson Fabian Faehrmann. "Moreover, if the windscreen were to shatter, a lot of water would suddenly enter the vehicle's interior, causing the car to sink even faster." Accident researchers have previously also advised people to get any children out of the car first, since once you're out, it may be difficult to get back into the car to help them. You sometimes hear the advice to get out using the doors but that's not advisable. In the ADAC test, the doors couldn't be opened at all while the car was sinking. Once the interior was underwater and the pressure had equalised between inside and out, the diver was only able to open the doors with great effort. At that point, the diver had been underwater for a minute and a half. In that scenario, ADAC said it doesn't see much chance of survival for someone who isn't wearing a wetsuit and oxygen tank, especially as they'll be under stress and may even be injured. – By Peter Löschinger, dpa
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
How much battery range has this electric Volkswagen lost after clocking 107,000 miles in four years?
One of the biggest concerns with electric cars is the lifespan of batteries and how quickly they degrade over time due to high mileage and repeat recharges. But a team of professional vehicle testers have revealed the impact of heavy use on the condition of EV battery is not all that dramatic. ADAC, Germany's equivalent to the AA, and its team of vehicle accessors have been extensively using an electric Volkswagen ID.3 for the last four years. In that time, it has clocked 107,000 miles. As such, it has now exceeded the 77kWh high-voltage battery's 100,000-mile warranty. It analysed the battery's health and found it had declined 9 per cent – an average of 2.25 per cent annually. However, this has translated to a loss of just eight miles for its measured full-charge range, the motoring organisation claims. Now find out how much it has cost service, fix and run in general... Due to the relative infancy of EVs, for the meantime it is difficult to truly measure the lifecycle of their batteries. While testers can accelerate the impact of mileage and charging by repeatedly running them in artificial scenarios in laboratory conditions, this is not a robust reflection of typical driving behaviour - and doesn't play to the advantages of batteries, which do not perform optimally when subjected to extended periods of consistent use. Therefore, ADAC's latest 'endurance test' results using a Volkswagen ID.3 with the 77kWh battery (costing from £39,000 in the UK, which is marginally over the threshold for Labour's new Electric Car Grant) can be considered an accurate depiction of what drivers should expect from EV battery performance and longevity as these cars get older and driven over longer distances. The same car it originally tested in 2021 was retained by the team of testers and driven by various employees over the last four years through all seasons. The VW has been regularly recharged up to 100 per cent and left at that level for several days while being shared by its team of engineers, it explained. The company says most recharges have been completed using a rapid charger at its testing headquarters, meaning the battery was fast charged much more often than would be the case for a typical EV owner. Studies have shown that UK drivers of electric cars are most likely to recharge using a slower 7kW wallbox at their home overnight using their domestic energy tariff. ADAC's report at 107k miles says that software updates over the car's life have gradually improved its energy efficiency, which has offset some of the losses from the battery. When it lab tested the ID.3 in 2021, it was measured at covering 3.11 miles per kWh. Having retested the same vehicle after surpassing the battery's warranty, it is now doing 3.40 miles per kWh. The team has also calculated the real-world performance outside lab conditions, with the EV achieving an average of 2.70 miles per kWh over 107,000 miles. Over the air software updates provided by Volkswagen since 2021 have also improved the battery's charging speed as well as range efficiency. Four years earlier, ADAC said the ID.3 was measured drawing a maximum of 125kW when charging. However, since the software upgrades, it can now achieve charging speeds of 160kW. This translated to a two-minute time saving when charging from 10 to 80 per cent, it said. Tests of the battery's sate of health was also consistently monitored. Between 13,500 and 43,200 miles, ADAC said it was showing a sustained health level of 96 per cent, dropping by 1 per cent when it reached the latter distance. It fell again to 95 per cent at 52,400 miles, slipping to 93 per cent at 64,000 and 92 per cent by 80,000 miles. Between 90,600 and 107,000 miles, it has a battery health reading of 91 per cent. This puts the battery condition well above the battery warranty's minimum level, which is 70 per cent after 100k or 10 years, whichever comes first. Its team of technicians said more recent VW models should perform even better than the ID.3. This is because newer EVs from the German car giant have battery heaters that can be activated remotely by drivers, meaning they will require shorter charging breaks during colder temperatures. Last year, a separate study of 5,000 'real-life' modern EVs concluded that batteries are showing slower signs of degradation than engine components used in petrol and diesel cars. Geotab - a leading firm in fleet and business telematics - carried out analysis of the battery health of fleet and private EVs, using 1.5 million days of telematics data to explore how the latest battery technology holds up to the rigours of daily use. The data suggested that EV batteries in current models degrade, on average, by 1.8 per cent annually. When it conducted the same study back in 2019, it found that the efficiency of batteries was declining at a rate of 2.3 per cent per year on average, suggesting advances have been made in the last five years to extend the lifespan of the technology. The report went on to say that EV batteries now 'generally degrade more slowly than internal combustion engine drivetrain components'. ADAC drove and charged the VW ID.3 through all seasons over the last 4 years. The battery has now surpassed its warranty mileage, though is proving reliable. But the car itself has suffered a few hiccups over the last 48 months... Not all plain sailing... While the battery performance of the electric Volkswagen impressed, ADAC said the four-year spell with the car hasn't been entirely faultless. It reported an issue with the GPS antenna, which also rendered the eCall system [which automatically calls VW's emergency line if the car is involved in a crash] unavailable. The cost to put this right was €525 (£455). And at 98,000 miles the ID.3 'briefly broke down' due to a fault with the automatic door opening system prevented it from starting. 'This problem could only be resolved with a software update,' the German testers said. A defect in the charging flap also had to be repaired at the workshop for €227 (£197). That said, ADAC claims the running costs for the Golf-sized electric VW have been 'pleasingly' low. Despite covering more than 100,000 miles, it has undergone just two scheduled services costing a total of €427 (£370), of which almost half was to re-gas the air conditioning system. All Volkswagen electric ID models have two-year service intervals, irrespective of the mileage. This is due to the fewer moving mechanical parts. ADAC will continue to measure the performance of the electric hatchback. It said it will be testing the battery health and measuring the maximum available range again at 250,000km (155k miles). 'The endurance test is far from over and will continue to monitor the battery after the warranty expires and to document any unforeseen repairs,' it said in an official statement.
Local Germany
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Local Germany
Why it pays to exit the Autobahn to refuel in Germany
Fuel costs are about 40 cents more per litre on average at highway petrol stations than at those on side streets, according to a recent analysis by Germany's largest motorist club (ADAC). At the beginning of the summer travel season, the ADAC looked at fuel prices at a sample of petrol stations across the country and found that the difference in prices between stations on the highway versus those on smaller roads have grown compared to previous years. In this year's sample of 50 pairs of petrol stations, the average price difference came to just under 44 cents per litre for premium E10 petrol, and more than 42 cents for diesel. Analysis by the Bundeskartellamt, Germany's financial competition authority, recently came to a similar figure of around 40 cents. For a vehicle with a 50 litre tank, the difference in the cost to fill up would be around €20. READ ALSO: Why it's illegal to run out of fuel on the German Autobahn Everything you need to carry in your car while driving in Germany Fuel price differences vary between specific stations and even through the different hours of the day, because stations update and change their prices often. The highest price difference between fuel prices at a highway station versus a nearby station on a smaller road that the ADAC found was 57 cents. The lowest was a mere 0.9 cents. Overall, however, there were differences of at least 30 cents for E10 at 90 percent of the filling stations, and for diesel at 88 percent of the filling stations. Advertisement "A certain understandable," the ADAC said in a statement, but it criticised the large price differences overall. The ADAC advises drivers to avoid the petrol stations on the motorways whenever possible: "A short detour is practically always worth it." Other ways to save money on fuel include filling up in the evening when prices tend to be lower. For international trips, it is often - but not always - cheaper to fill up behind the border than in Germany. COMPARE: Is it cheaper to fill your fuel tank in Germany or across the border? Useful vocabulary: Highway / motorway - (die) Autobahn petrol - gasoline - (das) Benzin petrol station - (die) Tankstelle diesel - (der) Diesel / Dieselkraftstoff With reporting by DPA.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
N24 Red-Flagged in Second Hour Due to Power Outage in Nürburgring Pit Building
Last year, a seven-hour red flag was raised at midnight due to extreme fog; this year, it's a red flag for the pit building losing power. The ADAC Ravenol 24 Hours of Nürburgring can not catch a break when it comes to weird stoppages. Just 90 minutes into the 24-hour race, action was halted when the pits momentarily lost power. Although the power came back relatively quickly, the red flag lingered, as the fueling rigs needed to be reset. Teams also needed to reboot their computers that were plugged into the power as well. Luckily, the tower didn't lose power, which would've resulted in a much longer pause to racing action. Nine leaders had started on lap 10 when the red flag came out and had to complete the 12.9-mile circuit to return to the pits slowly. In the Intercontinental GT Challenge, when a red flag is thrown, the race resets to the final lap completed by all drivers. The race will restart with nine laps completed. The red flag was raised after the field completed their first round of pit stops, with the Kondo Ferrari holding onto the lead ahead of the No. 17 GetSpeed Mercedes and the No. 34 Walkenhorst Aston Martin of Mattia Drudi. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Local Germany
20-06-2025
- Local Germany
Hotels, transport and food: How the cost of travel in Germany is rising this summer
The price of a summer holiday in Germany is rising once again this year, with hotels costing between 20 and 30 percent more in 2025 than five years ago, according to analysis by Budget Your Trip . For example, in 2025 the average price of a hotel room in Germany is €90 to €110 per night for a standard room - up significantly from five years ago when the average price was approximately €65 to €75. It's possible to pay a lot more, of course, and rooms can still be found for €30 to €50 per night in budget hotels. READ ALSO: How to save money on a camping holiday in Germany Higher transport costs Travelling by car or train remains a cost-effective option for many, especially for longer or interregional trips, but even here the overall trend is toward higher travel expenses for residents and visitors alike. The most visible change this year was the rise in the Deutschlandticket price to €58 a month, but road travel has also been affected by higher fuel and parking costs. COMPARE: Is it cheaper to fill your fuel tank in Germany or across the border? Eating and drinking out According to Germany's statistical office and current industry analyses, restaurant prices in Germany have risen by an average of around 30 percent since 2020, approximately double the rate of inflation over the same period. Even simple dishes like lasagne or salad have become around 20 to 25 percent more expensive and side dishes such as fries have seen an even greater increase. The steep rise in prices – driven by high energy costs and labour costs as well as inflation – is especially marked when it comes to drinks. The price of beer, in particular, has risen dramatically, with the cost of a litre of Helles set to hit a record high of €15.80 at this year's Oktoberfest. READ ALSO: Major German beer brands announce price increases Advertisement How are Germans reacting to the rising costs of a holiday at home? Germany remains the favourite travel destination for German tourists, accounting for 36 percent of all leisure trips taken by Germans in 2024. But the number of people choosing to holiday abroad continues to grow. A stand-up paddler sails on Lake Constance (Bodensee). Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Felix Kästle According to the ADAC Travel Monitor, one in every three Germans is now prioritising saving when it comes to planning their summer holidays, with a growing number of people looking at more affordable destinations including Bulgaria, Tunisia, and Egypt. Germans are also booking their holidays earlier to take advantage of early bird deals. According to the ADAC, 44 percent of German holiday makers booked their main vacation four months in advance in 2024, compared to 39 percent in 2022 and 35 percent in 2020. The most important criterion for people in Germany booking their summer holiday remains uncomplicated arrival and departure - named by nearly three-quarters of German travellers. For people holidaying in Germany, Bavaria maintains its position as the number one destination among the federal states. READ ALSO: Eight of the most beautiful German villages to visit this summer Advertisement Following an analysis of German tourism by the Stiftung für Zukunfstfragen (Foundation for Future Studies) , Professor Ulrich Reinhardt summed up the domestic travel trends in Germany: 'classic destinations such as the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts or the Alpine region remain popular, but lesser-known destinations are becoming increasingly important. "More and more citizens are consciously choosing new places away from the busy holiday areas and are looking for more individual travel experiences.'
