Braking - Audi A7 Sportback 2014 Owner's Manual

200 Intelligent technology
Braking
General information
What affects braking efficiency?
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 driving habits c:> ,& . On
vehicles that are either 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 your brake pads inspected can result
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.
Moisture or road salt
Under certain conditions, for examp le, when
driving 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 windshield wipers on, the brake pads will
briefly touch the brake discs in regular inter-
vals so as to improve reaction t ime when brak-
ing on wet surfaces. You the driver will not no-
tice anything .
The effectiveness of the brakes can be reduced
when the vehicle is dr iven on a salt-covered
road and the brakes are not used. Here too,
you should clean off accumulated salt coat ing
from brake discs and pads with a few careful
applications of the brake c:> ,& .
Corrosion
There may be a tendency for dirt to build up
on the brake pads and corrosion to form on
the discs if the car is not driven regu larly or
on Ly for short trips with litt le use of the
brakes.
If
the brakes are not used frequently, or if cor-
rosion has formed on the discs, it is advisable
to clean off the pads and discs by braking
firmly a few times from a moderately high
speed c:>
.&. .
Faults in the brake system
If you shou ld notice a sudden increase in
brake pedal trave l, then one of the two brake
circuits may have fai led c::>
.&. .
Low brake fluid level
Malfunctions can occur in the brake system if
the brake fluid level is t oo low. The brake fluid
level is monitored electronically.
Brake booster
The brake booster works with vacuum pres-
sure which is created only when the engine is
running c::> ,& .
Brake lining wear status
Brake lining wear may be checked by visual in-
spect ion of the condition of the brake pads
t hrough the open ings in the wheel. If neces-
sary, the wheel may be removed for th is in-
spect ion c:> page 266, Changing a wheel.
.8_
WARNING
- You shou ld perform braking maneuvers
for the purpose of cleaning the brake
system only if road conditions permit.
Other road users must not be put at risk -
you may cause an accident!
- Before descending a steep grade, reduce
speed and shift transmission into a lower
gear or lower driving range. Do not ride
the brakes or hold the pedal down too
long or too often . This could cause the
brakes to get hot and diminish braking
efficiency.
- Do not "ride the brakes" by resting your
foot on the pedal when you do not int end
to brake. This may cause the brakes to