What You Need to Know About Audi Brakes

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the German Automaker Audi when it comes to braking systems and parts. From 2009 to 2011, several instances were reported of Audi brakes locking up for no reason while driving. These reports highlight how important good brakes are, no matter what model you drive. Another setback came in 2014, this time for its engine, when Audi recalled nearly 70,000 vehicles worldwide due to the potential issue of engine oil leaking into the master cylinder. This illustrates how it’s important to keep abreast of company news in addition to the maintenance schedule, especially in this day and age of information technology.

For now, we’ll dive into details of your Audi’s brakes since those need periodic work per the maintenance schedule. Nevertheless, you should always make sure that your Audi’s brakes still look good whenever you check anything else on the car. When you can see they’re getting close to being worn out and needing repair, go ahead and order new brake parts online so you have them when you need them. Try to only get real genuine Audi replacement parts since they have the quality Audi counts on to perform up to its standards. 

Brakes in Audi automobiles are becoming more than simply a way for you to stop and slow the vehicle. Audi’s Turn Assist technology uses the braking system to brake automatically if another car cuts in front of you. Several Audi models also use the brakes to manage understeer when cornering. A few select models like the new A4 have a feature called PreSense Plus with Braking Guard. This combines a video camera, long-range radar and the best ceramic brake pads to stop your car for you if it senses the need. These technologies are all well and good, but without durable and responsive brake parts, they won’t perform at their optimal level. 

Regardless of the kind of Audi you drive, the first thing you need to know about brakes is the different techniques to using them.

Braking Techniques

There are many different techniques for braking to use in various conditions. For example, a great way to improve your track time is to brake late around the turns. Further, the techniques will vary depending on the type of vehicle you’re driving. For example, your Audi A3 or S4 will stop much quicker and smoother than a huge SUV or a lower-performance sedan like a Corolla.

It also needs to be said that braking is a great automotive skill to master when it comes to safe driving, regardless of what kind of automobile you’re driving. 

Some people have the attitude that there can’t be too much to braking; that it’s just a matter of stepping on the pedal to stop a car. Those people couldn’t be more wrong. Effective braking is actually about finding a middle ground between the point of maximum deceleration – right before locking the wheels – and braking too hard, consequently locking up the wheels and losing control of the automobile.

Brake Pads Need Replacing?

Most front brake pads on Audis are built with wear sensors in them. If you’re driving your Audi and see the brake light come on, that means you have about 3,000 miles to go before you need to service or replace the brakes. If you’re hard on your brakes, they could need replacing sooner than that. 

The rear brake pads don’t have these sensors, thus they won’t be the reason your brake light comes on. Instead, when these brake parts need to be replaced, you’ll hear metal-on-metal squeaking and grinding coming from the rear of your car whenever you brake. Get these parts repaired immediately or risk causing serious further damage to your Audi. For the average driver, look to update or replace the brakes in your Audi after they’ve been in use for 60,000 – 80,000 miles.

Regardless, you can quickly check your car’s brake pads by peeking behind each wheel’s spokes and seeing if there’s still decent padding.

Brakes go to the Floor?

Part of your auto education regarding brakes needs to cover when you step on the brake pedal and it goes right to the floor. This indicates either low brake fluid (usually because of a leak) or a master cylinder gone bad. Loss of fluid can also be caused by a bad caliper, blown brake hoses, or rusty brake lines.

If this ever happens to you, DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR!!! Your brakes are not working. You should actually have your car towed to the garage or your house to fix the brakes.

Stopping the Car with Effort

As a luxury automaker, Audi typically equips their vehicles with the most cutting-edge technology. The modern automobiles are equipped with something called a “vacuum booster” designed to assist drivers in the application of the vehicle’s brakes. If for some reason the diaphragm of this booster goes bad, or the hose gets disconnected, you’ll have to apply a significant amount more effort to the brake pedal in order to stop the car.

It is possible to keep driving with the brakes like this, but it’s not recommended because you’re not used to braking that hard and any reaction-braking will be delayed, which can be especially dangerous in traffic.

The smart thing to do, whenever you feel uneasy about your brakes, is simply to check them out BEFORE they don’t work. Remember these tips on when and how to assess your car’s various braking parts, and be as proactive as possible to avoid exponential further damage to the automobile.

When it comes time to replace your vehicle’s brakes, if you pay attention to the Brake Bible, you’ll see there are numerous types of brakes. Discuss this with a mechanic or other automotive expert to see which types and brands are right for your Audi and your driving style.