Should the Clutch Be Pressed When Braking?
2 Answers
When braking causes the speed to decrease too rapidly, the clutch pedal should be pressed. Below is relevant information about the clutch: Clutch: The clutch is located inside the flywheel housing between the engine and the transmission. The clutch assembly is secured to the rear plane of the flywheel with screws, and the output shaft of the clutch serves as the input shaft of the transmission. While driving, the driver can press or release the clutch pedal as needed to temporarily disconnect or gradually reconnect the engine and transmission, thereby cutting off or transmitting the power from the engine to the transmission. Principle of Releasing the Clutch: The principle of releasing the clutch is: "slow at first, then fast, and finally coordinated." When initially pressing the clutch, do it quickly and press it all the way down in one motion. When lifting the pedal during the free travel phase, do it quickly; slow down as it nears the contact point, pause slightly at the semi-engagement point, and then release it completely—this is the process.
I've been driving manual transmission cars for decades, and whether to press the clutch when braking depends on the specific scenario. In daily driving, if you're only lightly decelerating or braking during normal driving—like slowing down at an intersection—you don't need to press the clutch. This way, you can utilize engine braking to help save some fuel. However, when coming to a complete stop or rapidly reducing speed, such as during emergency braking or preparing to stop at a traffic light, you must press the clutch. Otherwise, the engine might stall, causing the car to jerk suddenly, which is very dangerous. I remember when I was younger, driving on a mountain road, I braked without pressing the clutch, the engine stalled, and the brake assist disappeared—I almost got into an accident. Since then, I've developed the good habit of operating the clutch simultaneously during significant deceleration to ensure safety and reduce transmission wear. With practice, it becomes second nature, making the operation smoother.
