How to Coordinate the Clutch and Brake When Turning a Vehicle?
2 Answers
Correct steps for using the clutch and brake when turning a vehicle: 1. First, turn on the signal, slow down, press the foot brake, engage the throttle after the turn, press the clutch when shifting gears, and press the brake before the clutch when braking. 2. When shifting gears, press the clutch to downshift to 2nd or 3rd gear, depending on the size of the turn. 3. After downshifting to 2nd gear, release the clutch, turn the steering wheel, place your foot on the throttle, and press it slowly. 4. Maintain speed, turn the steering wheel, and complete the turn. Below are the steps for turning a vehicle: 1. Before the vehicle enters the turn, it should still be moving in a straight line. 2. Turn on the signal, slow down, and further reduce speed if the turn is large. 3. After entering the turn at low speed, first choose the turning path and adjust the direction, then press the throttle to make the turn smoothly. 4. When the end of the turn is in sight, straighten the steering wheel, confirm the road conditions are safe, and accelerate to exit the turn quickly.
When I first started learning to drive, I used to get nervous when taking turns. Now I understand that the sequence is the most important. First, check the road conditions ahead, brake in advance to slow down to a safe speed, around 20-30 km/h; avoid sudden braking during the turn to prevent losing control. After slowing down, if the speed drops low enough to require a gear change, such as shifting from third gear to second gear, lightly press the clutch for a quick gear shift, then release the clutch to maintain power. Throughout the process, the clutch is only for assisting gear shifts—don’t keep it pressed down. Braking is the main method for slowing down, and the action should be smooth and steady. During a turn, it’s not advisable to stomp on both the clutch and brake simultaneously, as this can easily stall the engine. When I was a beginner, I made the mistake of trying to shift gears mid-turn without enough RPM, causing the car to jerk—which was quite dangerous. Remember to anticipate the braking point before the turn and practice the maneuvers on smaller roads for much safer driving.
