Do You Need to Press the Clutch When Braking?
2 Answers
Correct method is to press the brake first, then press the clutch for gear shifting. Here are the relevant introductions: 1. When slightly reducing speed: For example, reducing from 70km/h to 65km/h, in this case, you can directly press the brake without pressing the clutch. 2. When significantly reducing speed but not stopping: For example, if the vehicle is in 5th gear at 70km/h before braking and needs to slow down to 10km/h. In this situation, if you don't press the clutch and directly apply heavy braking, when the speed drops to a certain point (e.g., below 30km/h), the vehicle will start to shake. If the speed drops further or stops, the vehicle may stall. In such cases, you need to press the clutch first and then apply the brake.
I remember being particularly confused about this when I first started learning to drive a manual transmission car. The instructor repeatedly emphasized the coordination between the brake and clutch: when decelerating at high speeds, lightly press the brake without immediately stepping on the clutch, as engine braking can assist; however, if the speed drops very low, such as when coming to a stop, you must press the clutch, otherwise the car will shake violently or stall. My first time, I stalled at an intersection because I didn’t press the clutch—it was quite embarrassing. In daily driving, it’s recommended to develop the habit of braking alone during initial deceleration and then coordinating the clutch and brake when almost stopping to avoid engine drag. For safety, especially during hill starts or in rainy/snowy conditions, maintaining coordination is crucial. With more practice, it becomes natural and smooth—don’t rigidly memorize the rules, but instead feel the changes in speed.
