Does Pressing the Clutch Before Braking Harm the Car?
2 Answers
Pressing the clutch before braking can cause significant harm to the car and even lead to some driving hazards. More details are as follows: 1. In emergency situations, you should firmly hold the steering wheel with both hands, observe the situation ahead, and quickly and decisively press the brake pedal with your right foot all the way down (which may stall the car), but do not rush to press the clutch. 2. This is because, before the speed drops to a certain level, the engine also provides some deceleration effect. Additionally, pressing the clutch too early and shifting into neutral can leave the car in an uncontrolled state, making it difficult to take other remedial measures such as steering. The clutch should only be pressed when the speed drops to the point where the engine is about to stall.
As an ordinary person who has driven manual transmission cars for many years, I find this topic quite practical. Pressing the clutch before the brake won't immediately destroy your car, but it does pose hidden risks in the long run. In a manual transmission car, pressing the clutch disconnects the engine from the wheels, leaving braking entirely to the brake system. Without engine braking assistance, the brake pads have to work harder, leading to faster wear. Especially when going downhill or driving at high speeds, this practice can lengthen braking distance, increasing accident risks. The engine idling also consumes more fuel, raising fuel consumption. I think trying to switch to simultaneous pressing or gently braking before clutching is safer and not too hard to learn—after all, protecting your car means protecting your wallet and time.
