Can You Control the Speed by Braking in Subject 2?
2 Answers
Yes, usually the speed is controlled by the clutch. If you feel the speed is too fast, you can gently step on the brake as long as the car doesn't come to a complete stop. Tips for controlling speed: 1. Fast press, slow release: When pressing the clutch, do it quickly and release slowly. Place the sole of your foot on the pedal to avoid slipping. 2. Speed control: On uneven roads, you can lightly apply the brake to control speed, but the braking should be gentle, gradually increasing pressure. Avoid sudden braking. 3. Half-clutch state: Whether starting on flat ground or a slope, accurately sense the half-clutch state. Develop the habit of slowly lifting the clutch to the half-clutch state before releasing the brake until the car starts moving slowly. 4. Release the clutch before the brake: When stopping, first press the clutch, then the brake. After shifting to neutral, you can release the clutch before the brake.
I just finished my Subject 2 driving test recently. During driving lessons, the instructor always emphasized that the brake shouldn't be used for prolonged speed control. In test items like reverse parking or hill starts, if you constantly use the brake to slow down, it's more likely to cause the car to stall or roll back, which would lead to immediate point deductions by the examiner. During my first attempt at hill start, I pressed the brake too much, causing the car to jerk and stall - luckily I restarted the engine in time. Looking back now, brakes are mainly for short-term deceleration. Real speed control relies on coordinating the clutch with the accelerator for smooth operation. This is especially noticeable in manual transmission cars - you need to learn to use the clutch's half-engaged state to maintain slow movement, only lightly tapping the brake when necessary. After practicing this technique more, the test becomes much easier. I'd advise learners to adapt early to clutch-dominant speed control.
