Can You Release the Clutch While Braking?
4 Answers
You can release the clutch while braking. Additional information: 1. Clutch operation techniques: Use the heel of your left foot as a pivot and control the clutch pedal with the ball of your foot. When starting the car, first press the clutch pedal, then find the semi-engaged state while slightly pressing the accelerator with your right foot to increase the engine speed. Gradually release the clutch, pausing slightly when reaching the semi-engaged state. When downshifting, first reduce the car's speed until it reaches the appropriate speed for the lower gear, then press the clutch and follow the "one fast, two slow, three linkage" principle to control the clutch. 2. Engine stalling: Releasing the clutch while braking will not stall the engine when in neutral or while the car is moving. However, if the car is stationary and not in neutral, the engine will stall.
Having driven manual transmission cars for twenty years, whether to release the clutch while braking depends on the situation. In city traffic jams, I'm used to partially depressing both the clutch and brake to control speed—this prevents jerky stops and makes for a smoother ride. However, on long downhill slopes, you must never release the clutch; instead, shift to a lower gear and use engine braking, as relying solely on brake pads can cause overheating and failure. A useful trick is to check the speedometer: never release the clutch above 40 km/h, but below 20 km/h, you can use partial clutch engagement for control. Once on a mountain road, I forgot this rule and nearly got into trouble. Nowadays, many new cars come with hill-start assist systems, which significantly reduce operational stress. The key is understanding your car's behavior—beginners should practice partial clutch control in open areas first.
Driving school instructors teach us that the way to press the brake and release the clutch depends on the vehicle speed and the intended operation. If preparing to stop, you must simultaneously press the clutch and brake to prevent stalling. If you only want to slow down without shifting gears, such as easing off the throttle in a curve, keeping the clutch fully released actually results in smoother driving. I remember being too nervous during my first test—I only pressed the brake without the clutch at a red light, causing the car to stall and fail the exam. The instructor said that during normal deceleration, you should press the brake first and then the clutch when the RPM drops to 1000 for the smoothest transition. I recommend beginners practice heel-and-toe techniques in parking lots to gradually develop a feel for it. Additionally, for manual transmission models with auto start-stop functionality, note that the system automatically shuts off the engine when coming to a complete stop. In this case, you must press the brake before releasing the clutch.
From a mechanical principle perspective, pressing the brake while releasing the clutch is essentially pitting the engine against the braking system. The transmission gears endure double the impact, and the clutch disc is prone to slipping and overheating, accelerating wear by twofold over time. The close proximity of the clutch and brake pedals in design is intended to facilitate simultaneous operation. There's an extreme example: during snow-induced skidding, intentionally releasing the clutch can utilize engine braking to prevent side slipping, but this should never be attempted under normal circumstances. When I modified my car, I installed pedal extensions, which indeed made operation less strenuous. Nowadays, with the rise of electric vehicles, it's even better as regenerative braking replaces traditional braking, and manual transmissions are becoming increasingly rare. Transmission repairs are costly, so it's advisable to develop the habit of fully depressing the clutch when waiting at red lights.
