Should I Apply the Brake When Shifting from 4th to 3rd Gear?

[VonPaisley]

First apply the brake, wait until the speed drops to 30 km/h, then press the clutch and downshift. Below is relevant information about Subject 3: 1. Introduction to Subject 3: Subject 3, which includes the road driving skills test and the safety and civilized driving knowledge test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. It is the abbreviated name for the road driving skills and safety and civilized driving knowledge test subjects in the motor vehicle driver examination. The content of the road driving skills test varies for different types of vehicles. 2. Test Content of Subject 3: The driving skills test includes preparation before starting, simulated lighting test, starting off, driving in a straight line, shifting gears, changing lanes, parking by the roadside, going straight through intersections, etc. The safety and civilized driving knowledge test covers requirements for safe and civilized driving operations, safe driving knowledge under adverse weather and complex road conditions, etc.

[DeCharlie]

When I first bought a car, I also pondered this issue. Shifting from 4th to 3rd gear usually doesn't require braking. Here's how I usually do it: when the speed drops below 60 km/h, I gently press the clutch while coordinating with the throttle to downshift. This is called engine braking, which helps slow down the car and reduces brake pad wear. However, in heavy traffic or when needing to stop urgently, I apply a bit of braking first to ensure safety before downshifting. I remember once on the highway when I downshifted without braking, the engine RPM surged and gave me quite a scare. Later, I learned to assess the speed before downshifting – using brakes as assistance at high speeds is safer. With practice, it becomes second nature. The key is to sense the vehicle speed and road conditions, and avoid forcing the downshift.

[FinnDella]

As someone who has been driving manual transmissions for a long time, I've found that shifting from 4th to 3rd gear doesn't necessarily require braking—it depends on the scenario. During normal driving, such as going downhill or when wanting to slow down, I can simply downshift and utilize engine braking to save fuel. However, if the speed is too high or traffic is congested, using the brakes serves as a safety measure to prevent engine overload. The key technique lies in rev-matching—lightly blipping the throttle during downshifting to ensure smooth clutch engagement and reduce wear. With a bit of practice, it becomes second nature. For beginners, I recommend initially combining braking with downshifting when starting out, as it's easier to master. Safety should always come first—don't cut corners.

[MacHannah]

When I first started learning to drive, I also asked my instructor, and the answer was it depends. Generally, when downshifting from 4th to 3rd gear, you don't need to press the brake. But if you need to slow down significantly, like when there's traffic ahead, lightly pressing the brake to help control speed is simpler. The key is not to rush it. Forcing a downshift at high speed can cause the car to jerk or damage components. For beginners, it's safer to brake first and then downshift. You'll get the hang of it with more practice.

[RicardoLynn]

To save fuel and maintenance costs, I prioritize downshifting for deceleration over braking. When downshifting from 4th to 3rd gear, I hardly need to use the brakes—controlling speed through downshifting and throttle modulation saves fuel and protects the braking system. Only on sharp turns or slippery roads do I lightly apply the brakes to ensure stability. This method has helped me reduce repair frequency, but it's crucial to assess speed first—avoid taking risks when moving too fast.