Is it necessary to press the clutch before braking?
2 Answers
Whether you need to press the clutch before braking depends on the situation: 1. If the vehicle is moving at high speed and you only need to reduce speed, you can brake without pressing the clutch; 2. If the vehicle is moving at low speed, such as around 40 km/h in fourth gear or 30 km/h in third gear, you must press the clutch to prevent insufficient torque and vehicle shaking. The methods for slowing down a car are: 1. Release the accelerator; 2. Press the brake to reduce speed; 3. When the speed and engine RPM drop and you need to continue slowing down or stop, press the clutch to disengage the engine and transmission while keeping the brake pressed.
When braking a manual transmission car, whether to press the clutch depends on the situation. For example, when coasting to a red light, I first apply some brake to reduce the speed below 30 km/h before pressing the clutch, which prevents the engine from stalling. Never press the clutch first during emergency braking! Last month, I witnessed a new driver pressing the clutch during emergency braking, resulting in a significantly longer stopping distance and nearly causing a rear-end collision. Remember, in emergencies, stomp the brake pedal hard to let the ABS kick in—that's crucial. Normally, when approaching a red light 200 meters ahead, start coasting to decelerate. Once the speed drops to idle in second gear, press both the clutch and brake together. This saves the clutch plate and ensures a smooth stop.
