Should the Brake Be Kept Pressed All the Time?
2 Answers
When waiting at a red light, it is best to keep the brake pressed. From the perspective of personal safety, pressing the brake maximizes the parking of the car, preventing it from rolling backward or forward. Whether the vehicle is manual or automatic, it is best to keep the brake pressed when waiting at a red light, but do not press too hard—lightly pressing the brake pedal is sufficient. Below are additional details about pressing the brake when waiting at a red light: 1. For manual transmission vehicles, do not forget to shift to neutral: (1) If waiting for several tens of seconds, also engage the handbrake. (2) If only a few seconds are needed, the handbrake may not be necessary. 2. For automatic transmission vehicles encountering a red light, note the following: (1) If the wait is short, keeping the car in D gear while pressing the brake will not cause any issues. (2) If the wait is long, shift to N gear. If the car remains in D gear, the engine will be running, and prolonged brake pressing may increase the load on the transmission.
As a beginner learning to drive, I've realized that you definitely don't need to keep your foot on the brake pedal all the time. When driving, you should only press the brake when slowing down or stopping, and normally keep your foot relaxed on the floor. Keeping constant pressure on the brake causes faster wear on brake pads, wastes fuel, and may slow your reaction in emergencies. For example, braking at traffic lights is necessary, but during normal driving, let the car roll naturally to maintain steady speed. On downhill slopes, gentle taps to control speed are fine, but avoid continuous braking. Developing this habit extends vehicle component lifespan and makes driving much safer.
