Re: A4 brake problem in the rain

["Hans-Juergen Schneider" <hschnei@ibm.net>]

The latest issue (2/99) of the German car magazine "ADAC motorwelt" 
contains a test of car brakes under different conditions. The results 
are quite interesting.
braking distance: 
dry 100%
dry NaCl 100%
wet 130%
wet NaCl or MgCl2 150%
dry MgCl2 140% - 210%

They blame the recent problems with the A4 and other cars on the cold 
winter in Germany with the extensive use of MgCl2. They also mention 
that certain brake pads appear to behave worse than others and that 
the car manufactures should pay more attention to this problem. There 
advice to the driver is to apply the brake periodically to clean the 
discs.
- Hans-Juergen Schneider
'93 S2 Avant 
'89 CQ 20V