Should You Brake First or Depress the Clutch First When Downshifting?

[BrynleeLee]

When downshifting, you should brake first, wait for the vehicle speed to decrease, and then depress the clutch to smoothly downshift. The function of the brake is to reduce speed or bring the vehicle to a stop. Its working principle involves converting the kinetic energy of the moving vehicle into heat energy through friction between the brake pads and brake drum, as well as between the tires and the ground, thereby slowing down or stopping the car. The functions of the clutch are as follows: 1. Gradually increase the driving force of the car, allowing for a smooth start. 2. Temporarily separate the engine and transmission for gear shifting. 3. Prevent overload in the transmission system. 4. Reduce torsional vibration impacts from the engine, extending the lifespan of the transmission gears.