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