How to Decelerate in Second Gear Without Stalling?

[StHannah]

Depressing the clutch while decelerating in second gear will prevent stalling. Below are detailed instructions for shifting without stalling: 1. When downshifting: Follow the technique mantra of 'press (clutch), shift to neutral, release (clutch), add (throttle), press (clutch), engage (lower gear)'. As long as the speed is appropriate, you can skip gears when downshifting. 2. When shifting gears: When upshifting from 1st to 2nd gear, the speed should reach 15-20 km/h; from 2nd to 3rd gear, 25-35 km/h; from 3rd to 4th gear, 35-45 km/h; and from 4th to 5th gear, 45-55 km/h. This also applies to downshifting. 3. Different speeds: When the speed is relatively low, generally within 30 km/h, first press the brake and then the clutch to prevent the engine from stalling due to braking at low speeds. When the speed is higher, above 30 km/h, you need to first press the brake to reduce the speed (to 20-30 km/h) and simultaneously press the clutch to bring the car to a stop.

[SkylarLynn]

I've been driving manual transmission for over a decade. The key to downshifting to second gear without stalling lies in coordinating the clutch and throttle. When decelerating, don't immediately depress the clutch pedal completely. First, release the throttle to let the engine naturally reduce the vehicle speed. When the RPM drops to around 1,000, gently press the clutch to shift gears or brake. Especially in stop-and-go traffic, lightly rest your right foot on the brake pedal to control speed. If you feel the car is about to stall, gently tap the throttle to maintain RPM above 1,200 - this prevents the engine from coughing and stalling. Remember: when vehicle speed is too low, clutch engagement should be quick while throttle application must be smooth.

[NoahRose]

As a female driver, I find that stalling is most likely to occur when downshifting to second gear during turns. My experience is to slow down early before entering the turn. After controlling the speed with the right foot on the brake, gently press the clutch with the left foot to maintain a semi-engaged state while turning. For example, when taking a 90-degree turn in the neighborhood, reduce the speed to around 15 km/h and press the clutch halfway. At this point, the car continues to move forward without the engine stalling, and the steering feels light. After exiting the turn, gradually release the clutch while lightly applying the throttle for a smooth transition. This technique is especially suitable for slow-speed maneuvers like U-turns at intersections.

[McKingston]

After six years of teaching driving, this is the question students ask the most. The key is to watch the tachometer: the engine will definitely stall if the RPM drops below 800 in second gear. When decelerating, lightly rest your right foot on the brake while keeping an eye on the RPM. If it falls to 1500 RPM, gently press the accelerator to maintain a safe range between 1200-1500 RPM. With practice, you won't need to check the gauge—when the engine sound becomes muffled, it's about to stall, so immediately give it a little gas. Remember not to slam the brakes at low RPM, and alternate between using the brake and clutch.

[LucasLee]

When I first got my license, I used to stall the car a lot. Later, I figured out that slowing down in second gear is like coasting on a bicycle—your feet aren't pedaling, but the chain is still turning the wheels. At around 20 km/h, coasting in gear can keep the car moving for over ten meters without stalling. Just press the clutch all the way down when you're about to come to a stop. This is especially useful when going down a parking garage ramp: put it in second gear without pressing the gas, use engine braking to control speed, and press the clutch and brake when nearing the bottom. This saves brake pads and prevents stalling or rolling midway.