200 Intelligent technology
job if the incline is icy or if the incline ground
is loose ¢&. .
The system does not work at speeds between
19 and 37 mph (30 and 60 km/h) . Th e system
is then in the ready-mode. The diode in the
button will come on. The system automatical
l y switched off when you drive faster than 3 7
mph (60 km/h). The diode will go out in this
case.
Active control at a specific speed up to approx
imately 19 mph (30 km/h) w ill appear in the
instrument cluster disp lay ¢
fig. 189. Two
dashes" •• " will appear in the ready mode.
Hill descent assist is automatica lly activated
under the fo llow ing cond itions:
- the diode in the button illuminates,
- vehicle speed is be low approximately
19 mph (30 km/h)
- the inclin e is 10%.
.&_ WARNING
-Always adapt your speed to the weather,
road and traffic conditions. Do not let
the increased safety provided tempt you
into taking risks.
- T he hill descent assist system cannot
overcome the laws of physics. Your driv
ing sty le m ust always be adapted to the
c u rrent road and traffic conditions.
- The hill descent assist may not be able to
hold your vehicle at a constant speed un
der all cond it ions wh ile driving on an in
cl ine (for example if ground under the
vehicle is loose) .
Brake system
Operating conditions and driving habits
The brakes on today's automobi les are sti ll
subject to wear, depending largely on operat
ing conditions and dr iv ing habits ¢&. . On
vehicles that are e ither driven mostly in stop
and -go city traffic or are driven hard, the
brake pads should be checked by your author
ized Audi dealer more often than specified in
the
Warranty & Maintenance booklet . Failure to have you
r brake pads inspected can result
in reduced brake performance.
On steep slopes , you should use the braking
effect of the engine . This way, you prevent un
necessary wear on the b rake system . If you
must use your brakes, do not hold the brakes
down cont inuous ly. Pump the brakes at inter
vals.
Noises may occur when braking depending on
the speed, braking force and outside condi
t ions such as temperature and humidity .
Moisture or road salt
Under certain conditions, for example, when
driv ing through water or very heavy rain, or
even after washing your vehicle, the braking
effect can be reduced due to moisture (or in
freezing conditions ice) on the brake pads. A
few careful brake applications should dry off
the brake pads or remove any ice coatings.
When you are driving at higher speeds with
the windshie ld wipers on, the brake pads will
briefly touch the brake discs in regu lar inter
vals so as to improve reaction time when brak
ing on wet surfaces . You, the driver, will not
notice anything .
The effectiveness of the brakes can be reduced
when the vehicle is driven on a salt-covered road and the brakes are not used . Here too,
you should clean off accumulated salt coating from brake discs and pads w ith a few careful
applications of the brake ¢.& .
Corrosion
There may be a tendency for dirt to build up
on the brake pads and corros ion to form on
the discs if the car is not driven regularly or
o n Ly for short trips with little use of the
brakes.
If the brakes are not used frequently, or if cor
r os ion has formed on the d iscs, it is adv isable
to clean off the pads and discs by braking
firmly a few times from a moderately high
speed¢ ,&. .,..
