brake pads should be checked by your a uthor
ized Audi dealer more often than specified in
the
War ranty & M aint enance booklet . Failure
to have your brake pads inspected can res ult
in reduced brake performance.
On steep slopes, you shou ld use the braking
effect of the engine . This way, you prevent un
necessary wear on the brake system. If you
must use your brakes, do not hold the brakes
down continuously . Pump the brakes at inter
vals.
Operating no ise
Noises may occur when braking depending on
the speed, braking force and outside condi
tions such as temperature and humidity.
Effect of w ater and ro ad salt
In certain sit uations, for example after driving
through water, in heavy rain, after overnight
condensation or after washing your car, the brak ing effect can be reduced by moisture or
ice on the brake rotors and brake pads. The
brakes must be dried first with a few careful
brake app lications.
At h igher speeds and with the w indshield w ip
ers turned on, the brake pads press against
the brake rotors for a short amount of time.
This occurs at regula r intervals without the
d river noticing and provides for better brake
response time under wet condit ions.
The effectiveness of the brakes can be reduced
when the vehicle is dr iven on a salt-covered
road and the brakes a re not used . L ikew ise,
you clean off a ccumulated sa lt coating from
brake discs and pads with a few ca utious ap
p lications of the brake
c:> .&. .
Cor rosion
There may be a tendency for dirt to bu ild up
on the brake pads a nd corrosion to form on
the discs if the car is not dr iven regular ly or
only for short t rips with little use of the
b rakes.
I f the b rakes are not used frequently, or if cor
r osion has formed on the discs, it is advisab le
t o clean off the pads and discs by brak ing
Int ellig ent technolog y 189
firmly a few times from a moderately h igh
speed
c:> .&. .
Faults in the brake s yst em
If you shou ld notice a sudden in crease in
brake pedal trave l, then one of the two brake
c ircuits may have fai led
c:> .&. .
Lo w brake fluid l ev el
Malfunctions can occur in the brake system if
the brake fluid level is too low . The brake flu id
level is monitored elect ro nica lly.
Brake booster
The brake booster increases the pressure that
you generate with the brake peda l. It works
only when the engine is running
.c:> .&
Brake lining wear statu s
Brake lining wear may be checked by visual in
spection of the condition of the brake pads
through the open ings in the wheel. If neces
sa ry, the wheel may be removed for th is in
spect ion
c:> page 259, Changing a wheel.
A WARNING
- New brake pads don' t have the best stop
ping power and m ust be "bro ken-in" dur
ing the initial
100 to 150 miles (150 to
200 kilometers) of normal c ity driving.
You can compensate for this by pressing the brake pedal more firmly. Th is also
applies later when new pads are instal
led.
- You should perform braking maneuvers for the purpose of cleaning the brake
system only if road conditions permit.
Other road use rs must not be put at risk -
you may ca use an accident!
- Before descend ing a steep grade, reduce
speed and sh ift transmission into a lower
gea r or l ower dr iving range . Do not ride
the brakes or hold t he pedal down too
long or too often . Th is could cause the
brakes to get hot and diminish braking
efficiency .
- Do not " ride the brakes" by res ting you r
foo t on the pedal when you do not intend .,..
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