Should the Clutch Be Fully Depressed When Braking?

[Chloe]

When braking, the clutch should not be fully depressed. The clutch only needs to be fully depressed when coming to a complete stop or shifting gears. However, when braking to a very low speed, the clutch should be pressed to the semi-engaged position to prevent the vehicle from stalling, without needing to fully depress the clutch. The clutch should be depressed during emergency braking: When performing emergency braking, if the clutch is not engaged, the engine's speed will drop sharply due to its rigid connection with the drivetrain. This can generate significant inertial torque in all moving parts, potentially exceeding the maximum torque produced during normal engine operation. Such excessive load on the drivetrain may cause damage to the components. The role of the clutch: Depressing the clutch while braking can prevent stalling and avoid the need for restarting, thereby reducing potential damage to the vehicle. Engaging the clutch is equivalent to shifting into neutral, and braking in this state increases the braking distance, thereby increasing driving hazards.