Should the Clutch Be Pressed When Braking to Slow Down?
2 Answers
Specific details are as follows: 1. High speed: If the vehicle speed is relatively high, there is no need to press the clutch. Simply tapping the brakes will suffice. 2. Low speed: If the speed is relatively slow, press the clutch first, then the brake; otherwise, the engine may stall. 3. Emergency braking: During emergency braking, never press the clutch, as doing so may actually increase the speed, especially when going downhill. Additional information: A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox, requires the driver to manually shift the gear lever to change the gear engagement inside the transmission, altering the gear ratio to achieve speed changes. The gear lever can only be shifted when the clutch is pressed. Although automatic transmission models are extremely popular in new car sales, manual transmission vehicles still hold appeal for a significant portion of consumers. However, even though manual transmissions are more 'durable' and have fewer faults, frequent clutch pressing and gear shifting by drivers, underestimating the difficulty of operation, can also lead to unnecessary issues.
When I first started learning to drive, I also struggled with this issue. When slowing down, my instructor taught me to first press the brake to reduce speed. If the speed is still relatively high, like going from 60 to 30 km/h, just pressing the brake is enough—this way, the engine can still assist a bit, making it safer. When the speed drops very low, such as below 10 km/h or when almost stopping, then press the clutch; otherwise, the car may stall easily. In daily driving, pay extra attention on slopes or in congested traffic, anticipating speed changes in advance. New drivers might worry about making mistakes, but practicing a few times to get the feel is key—the important thing is not to panic, maintain smooth operation, and practice makes perfect. Remember, safety comes first; developing good habits is better than reckless braking.
