Should You Press the Brake or the Clutch First When Decelerating a Motor Vehicle?

[OMorgan]

When driving at high speed, you should press the brake first and then the clutch, whereas at low speed, you can press the clutch first and then the brake. Below are relevant details about brakes and the clutch: 1. Definition and Principle: The brake of a motor vehicle is also referred to as the braking system. The principle of braking involves fixing a wheel or disc on the high-speed shaft of the machine and installing a corresponding belt or disc on the machine, which generates braking torque under external force. 2. Explanation of the Clutch: The clutch of a motor vehicle 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 is the input shaft of the transmission.

[Evie]

When slowing down, should you press the clutch or brake first? It depends on the speed. If the speed is still high, say above 40-50 km/h, pressing the brake first is the safest bet. At this point, the engine still provides braking assistance, helping the car slow down faster. But if the speed has dropped to near stalling, like below 20 km/h, I quickly press the clutch before braking to avoid the embarrassing stall. Especially when stopping at a red light, pressing the clutch in advance along with the brake ensures a smooth stop. During emergency braking, I use both feet—pressing the clutch and brake together—to stop steadily without stalling the engine.

[VonSienna]

My habit when driving a manual transmission is: glance at the speedometer when decelerating. Above 40 km/h, gently press the brake—no need to rush to touch the clutch, as the engine itself helps slow down the speed. Once the speed drops below 30 km/h and the RPM falls to around 1000, lightly press the clutch with your left foot to prevent stalling. Avoid always using the clutch to slow down, as it wears out the clutch disc and compromises safety. Back in driving school, the instructor repeatedly emphasized that in emergencies, don’t overthink—just stomp both feet down simultaneously. Safety always comes first.

[Aiden]

Deceleration is actually quite simple. When driving normally on flat roads, first tap the brake to slow down. When you feel the engine starting to shake and the RPM drops significantly, quickly press the clutch. Never coast downhill with the clutch pressed—it's too dangerous! You need to rely on a combination of braking and engine braking. During my daily commute over the bridge, I often encounter traffic jams and have found that pressing the clutch half a second before braking makes the ride smoothest—even coffee in the back seat won't spill. Remember, the right foot should always act half a beat earlier than the left foot.