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188
Intelligent
technology
Braking
What affects braking efficiency?
New brake pads
During t he first 250 miles (400 km), new
brake pads do not possess their fu ll braking
effect , they have to be "broken in" first ¢ .&..
You can compensate for this slightly reduced
braking power by pushing harder on the brake
pedal. Avoid heavy braking loads during the
break-in per iod.
Operating condition s and driving habit s
The brakes on today's automob iles are st ill
subject to wear, depending largely on operat-
ing conditions and driving habits ¢ .&.. 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 hol d the brakes
down continuously. Pump the brakes at inter -
vals.
Operating noise
Noises may occur when braking depending on
the speed, brak ing fo rce and outside condi-
tions such as temperature and humidity.
Effect of water and road salt
In certain situat ions, for example after driving
through water , in heavy rain, after overn ight
conde nsation or afte r washing your car, the
braking effect can be reduced by moist ure or
ice on the brake rotors and brake pads. The
brakes must be dried first with a few careful
brake applications .
At higher 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 regular intervals witho ut the
driver noticing and provides fo r bette r brake
response time under wet conditions .
The effec ti veness of the brakes can be reduced
when t he vehicle is driven on a salt-covered
road and the brakes are not used. Likewise,
you clean off accumulated salt coating from
brake discs and pads with a few cautio us ap-
plicat ions of the brake ¢ .&..
Corrosion
There may be a t endency for di rt to build up
on the brake pads and corrosion to form on
the discs if the car is not driven regularly or
only fo r short trips w ith 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 ¢ .&..
Fault s in the brake syst em
If you shou ld notice a sudden increase in
brake pedal trave l, then one of the two brake
circuits may have fa iled ¢ .&..
Low brake fluid level
Malfunctions can occur in the brake system if
the brake fluid level is too low. The brake fluid
level is monitored electronica lly.
Brake booster
The bra ke booster increases the pressure that
you generate wi t h the brake pedal. It works
only when the engine is runn ing .¢ .&.
Brake lining wear status
Brake lining wear may be checked by visual in-
spect ion of the condition of the brake pads
th rough the ope nings in the wheel. If neces-
sary, the wheel may be removed for t his in-
spect ion ¢
page 253, Changing a wheel.
_&
WARNING
,____
- New brake pads don't have the best stop-
ping power and must be "broken-in" dur-
ing the initial 100 to 150 miles (150 to
11>-
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