Thanks

2007 Audi 2.0T S-line, DSG, Skyview, Cold Weather PKG

What he is saying is true, put some heat into them and you will be good to go.

If you decide to go to the dealership and ask questions, find a Master Audi Tech, (not the oil chaging kid). The Master Tech will educate you on the A3 brakes, as my wife has recently been taught, and now I understand.

We had the same problem with the brakes as well as poor Audi service. It wasn't until Audi Customer service gave us a dealer reference with 7 master techs in the shop.

The tech took a ride with us going through the motions of the vehicle such as stop, start, etc. he explained it to us why they squeal. After showing us how to get heat into them we noticed a more responsive brake peddle and stop with out the dreaded squeal.

It is crazy and a pain in the rear to have to do this but it works.

Also what is the procedure the tech taught you to rid of the squeal?

I developed the same issue in the last month or so. Small town driving and not enough twisties lately. Scooter is telling me it's time to take him out and play? Great idea!

Basically they heat up and glaze over. Think of it like rubbing two glasses together.. they are smooth and you'd think they would just silently slide against each other but really they are vibrating and making the squeel.

With brake pads and rotors its the same thing. But you really want a "smooth" rotor surface and a rough brake pad so that it bites.

By going out and driving the car hard you burn off that glazed surface.

Basically do the same as you would when bedding in a new set of pads. go out and do a bunch of say 60-5mph, never coming to a complete stop and if you have to don't leave your foot on the brake pedal. do that a few times then drive around trying to use the brakes as little as possible till they cool down. Park the car without the parking brake on and let them cool completely.

2007 Audi 2.0T S-line, DSG, Skyview, Cold Weather PKG

Anyway just find a good service dept. tell them what your issues are and have them(a master tech) work it out. If your car doesn't feel right when you get it back then explore options. I am glad to say ours were worked out and my wife and I are happy with the car now.

Good luck

2007 Audi 2.0T S-line, DSG, Skyview, Cold Weather PKG

but since the mileage is kinda higher im thinking i should change 'em. when have people been changing thme (i know it depends on driving styles and what not,) but whats the average stock brake pad life

Just because a part is doing something you don't like doesnt' mean its a manufacture defect.

the rear pads used to squeel and make tons of noise and people complained. About 7 years ago they switched to a softer compound and there have been nothing but complaints about too much rear brake dust and rear pads wearing out "too" soon.

Your car came with nice hard pads from the factory that take a lot of heat and last a long time. But they must be used and used hard to prevent noise.

Mine scream when I haven't driven it hard for a while... then I just go have some fun and all is well.

2007 Audi 2.0T S-line, DSG, Skyview, Cold Weather PKG

I have a hard time believing that manufactures have silent brakes because I have heard them make noise. Every last one of them.

I don't trust brakes that make no noise.

If you would like to get rid of it go to autozone and buy the cheapest possible brake pad, probably under 20 bucks. They will be such a soft compound and last only about 15K miles probably they will be silent though.

Thats really the only fix.

Expect lots of brake dust and deminished hot stop distances.

Would that minmize/eliminate the squealing noise and the brake dust?

2007 Audi 2.0T S-line, DSG, Skyview, Cold Weather PKG

2007 Audi 2.0T S-line, DSG, Skyview, Cold Weather PKG

I'm not arguing that lighting these things up won't TEMPORARILY stop the sqeaking. But let's be honest here, that's what it is, a temporary fix. When I go back to driving in the manner dictated by my daily commute the sqeal will eventually return.

im in the market for a car and ive been looking at a3's and while i love the look and interior im not going to have money to put into this car for a while and i dont want to have to deal with the brakes squealing on a new car.

On of the things I've learned to live with. No biggie.

"There's no reason to ever punch your girlfriend... unless she tells you shes pregnant"

..::The IKE & Audizine Build-Up Show::..

it just seems like there is no need to be forced to live with this problem.

For those with DSG, try not to engage the handbrake when parked. I have found there is no brake squeaking when I drive afterwards when I didn't engage the handbrake when parking.

got it with 8600 miles and the deal was great so i couldnt pass it up.

Hammered the A3. Brakes were fine. I see next week when I get back on my thru town 35 mph drive to work if the noise went away.

Seriously, the noise never bothered me, it only occured within the last 50 or so feet of an stop.

One thing I've learned (I own an E46 325i also) is that German stock pads are pretty good. My last car, a Miata had Porterfield RS4s. Those pads on a frosty morning were scary. I learned to ride the brake for a block or so to get heat in them.

Even tho the E46 pads are notorious for dusting, they have very good cold bite and also maintain their high heat fade resistance, so it is with my A3 pads. ----Keep in mind I'm talking daily driver needs, not track-day stuff at Laguna or Sears Point ---

Call it Audi Maintenance Program, or something.

What German cars brakes don't squeak ? I've worked for Benz, Audi VW and even Land Rover. Every single one had some brake squeal. You find it "unacceptable" that brakes are squealing at 16,000 miles. At what mileage would you find it acceptable ? You live in Ontario. Your brakes probably never get hot at all. Cold, metallic pads will squeal on any car. Brakes are the one thing besides tires that are subject to the whims of atmospheric conditions. Metallic pads will squeal when they're cold, when it's humid and in B2B traffic. Go wash your wheels & brakes. When they dry, take the car out and beat on the brakes a bit as he described.

I'm not just a service guy, I'm a car guy and former mechanic, I've owned: 85 GTI (stock), 86 Jetta Coupe (modded), 01 Passat GLX (modded), 03 Passat W8 6 speed,(slightly modded) 83 Mercedes 300D and 300SD.