Should the clutch be pressed when decelerating in Subject Three?
2 Answers
Whether to press the clutch when decelerating depends on the vehicle speed. Below are the times when the clutch needs to be pressed under different gears in Subject Three: 1. Above 3rd gear: When the vehicle speed is relatively high. The student does not need to press the clutch, and can directly use the "light braking" method, which involves pressing and releasing the brake pedal quickly. 2. 2nd gear or 1st gear: If the vehicle's power begins to feel insufficient, pressing the brake without the clutch will directly stall the engine, so both the brake and clutch should be pressed simultaneously at this time. Below are the correct methods for decelerating in Subject Three: 1. On flat roads with light traffic, if the vehicle speed is above 30km/h and only short-term braking is needed, simply lightly press the brake pedal without pressing the clutch pedal. 2. When passing bus stops, school zones, waiting at traffic lights, in traffic jams, or when stopping, shift to a lower gear while pressing both the clutch pedal and brake pedal.
I've been driving for decades, and stepping on the clutch when decelerating is a natural habit, especially in test scenarios like Subject Three. The examiner focuses on the smoothness and safety of the operation. If you don't press the clutch when slowing down during a turn or passing through a school zone, the engine is prone to stalling or jerking, leading to test failure or even accident risks. Beginners often overlook this, but practice has taught me that when the speed drops to around 20 kilometers per hour, you should press the clutch in coordination with the brake to keep the vehicle steady and avoid sudden stops. Practicing this feeling more often makes you more composed during the test and helps avoid point deductions. I've seen too many people lose big for small mistakes—safety first is always right.
