Is It Correct to Press the Clutch and Brake Simultaneously?
2 Answers
Pressing the clutch and brake simultaneously is not the correct practice, as it can easily shorten the lifespan of the clutch. However, this method can be used in emergency situations. When stopping the car, first press the clutch to reduce the speed and then apply the brakes. This can prevent the car from stalling suddenly. If the car is moving at a relatively high speed and needs to slow down or stop, you must either press the clutch or shift to neutral. Once the speed drops to an appropriate range, shift to the appropriate gear based on the specific speed and engine RPM, then press the brake to stop the car. If the driver needs to perform an emergency stop while driving, they can press both the clutch and brake simultaneously. This helps prevent misoperation by the driver and reduces the likelihood of the car stalling suddenly. In emergency situations, the driver is more likely to misoperate the pedals. By pressing both the brake and clutch at the same time, even if the accelerator is accidentally pressed, it will not affect the braking performance, ensuring the safety of the passengers.
After driving manual transmission cars for decades, I believe simultaneously pressing the clutch and brake is a normal operation, especially when slowing down to stop. At red lights or during traffic jams, not pressing the clutch and only braking can easily stall the car, causing it to shake to a stop, which is troublesome to restart. When starting on a slope, pressing the brake first and then partially releasing the clutch can stabilize the car and prevent rolling backward. However, when descending steep slopes at high speed, avoid constantly pressing the clutch, as engine braking helps with safer deceleration. In city driving, it's just a habit without much harm, unless you press the clutch too much, which may wear the clutch plate faster. Beginners should practice more when learning to drive, with smoothness being the most important.
