Brake First or Clutch First?
2 Answers
Usually, you should press the brake first and then the clutch, which is the most basic braking method for drivers. In addition, there are the following three braking methods: 1. Parking on a slope: Press the brake first, then the clutch. When the clutch is pressed, the car is effectively in neutral, and without the engine's resistance, the car may roll backward; 2. Emergency stop or deceleration at high speed: Press the brake first, then the clutch. Because the higher the car's speed, the greater its inertia. If you press the clutch first, the car's inertia increases, so you must press the brake first; 3. Stopping at a red light: Press the clutch first, then the brake. Because the lower the car's speed, the greater the friction resistance between the tires and the ground. If you press the brake first, the engine is more likely to stall.
That's a great question. As someone who's been driving manual transmission cars for ten years, let me share my habits. During normal driving when slowing down, I first lightly tap the brakes to reduce speed, then press the clutch when RPM drops to around 1,000. This makes stopping smoother without gear dragging. Remember never to press the clutch too early - that disconnects the engine from wheels, making brakes bear all the stopping force and increasing wear. But in emergencies like someone suddenly crossing, you must stomp both brake and clutch simultaneously to prevent stalling while maximizing braking efficiency. Different speeds require different approaches: above 60 km/h brake first, below 20 km/h you can press clutch and brake together. With practice it becomes second nature - quick reflexes are key!
