Should the Clutch Be Depressed When Decelerating?

[HaleyLynn]

Decelerating requires depressing the clutch. The reasons are as follows: 1. Reason one: Gear shifting cannot be performed without pressing the clutch pedal. 2. Reason two: Generally, as the vehicle speed decreases, the gear should also be lowered. If the speed drops without a corresponding gear change, it results in a high gear at low speed condition. In such scenarios, the car may experience jerking, and in severe cases, the engine could stall, posing safety hazards. Relevant information about the automotive clutch is as follows: 1. Automotive clutch: Located within the flywheel housing between the engine and transmission, the clutch assembly is secured to the rear plane of the flywheel with screws. The output shaft of the clutch serves as the input shaft for the transmission. 2. Function: During driving, the driver can depress or release the clutch pedal as needed to temporarily disconnect or gradually engage the engine and transmission, thereby interrupting or transmitting power from the engine to the transmission.

[LaPreston]

Whether to press the clutch when decelerating depends on the situation. I've been driving manual transmission for ten years. In city driving, when approaching a red light, I release the accelerator in advance to let the speed decrease naturally. At this time, there's no need to touch the clutch at all—only press it just before coming to a complete stop to avoid stalling. However, in emergencies, such as a pedestrian suddenly darting out, I press both the clutch and brake simultaneously for an emergency stop. This prevents the engine from stalling and allows for quick gear shifting to avoid obstacles. On highways, extra caution is needed when decelerating. If you're just lightly braking to reduce speed, avoid pressing the clutch, as this can easily cause wheel instability. Remember: keep the clutch untouched during smooth deceleration, and only press it during emergency braking or gear shifting. Developing this habit protects the transmission and ensures smoother driving.