Can I brake without fully depressing the clutch?
1 Answers
Braking without fully depressing the clutch is not recommended as it affects the vehicle's lifespan, may cause stalling, and can damage both the engine and the entire transmission system. Here are two reasons why you should only depress the clutch when braking to a near-stop: 1. Enhanced safety: Engaging the clutch too early is equivalent to coasting in neutral, which poses higher risks and is detrimental to driving safety. 2. Fuel efficiency: Modern vehicles equipped with electronic or direct fuel injection systems consume less fuel when coasting in gear compared to neutral. Similarly, it's advisable to wait until reaching optimal speed before upshifting during acceleration. Therefore, always apply brakes first to decelerate and only depress the clutch when coming to a near-stop.