Audi A4 2013 Owner's Manual page 191

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.
Operating noise
Noises may occur when braking depending on
the speed, braking force and outside condi-
tions such as temperature and humidity.
Effect of water and road salt
I n certain sit uations, for example after driving
through water, in heavy rain, after overnight
condensation or after washing your car, the
braking 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 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 regula r intervals without the
driver 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 are not used. Likewise,
you clean off accumulated salt coating from
brake discs and pads with a few caut ious ap-
plications of the brake
c:>
.&. .
Corrosion
There may be a tendency for dirt to bu ild up
on the brake pads and corrosion to form on
the discs if the car is not dr iven regular ly or
only f or short t rips with little use of t he
brakes.
If the brakes are not used frequently, or if cor-
rosion has formed on the discs, it is advisable
t o clean off the pads and discs by braking
Int e llig e nt technolog y 189
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 too low . The brake flu id
level is monitored elect ronically.
Brake booster
The brake booster increases the pressure that
you generate with the brake pedal. 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-
sary, 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 must be "bro ken-in" dur-
ing the initial 100 to 150 miles (150 to
200 kilometers) of normal city driving.
You can compensate for this by pressing
the brake pedal more firmly. This 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 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 dr iving range . Do not ride
the brakes or hold t he pedal down too
long or too often . This could cause t he
brakes to get hot and diminish braking
efficiency .
- Do not " ride the brakes" by resti ng you r
foo t on the pedal when you do not intend .,..
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