Should You Press the Brake When Starting a Manual Transmission Car?
3 Answers
When starting a manual transmission car on flat ground, you don't need to press the brake, but it's best to press the brake when starting on a slope. Here are some precautions for starting a car: 1. Adjust the seat before starting to ensure your feet can comfortably and firmly press the clutch, brake, and accelerator. 2. For a manual transmission car, shift into first gear when starting, press the clutch all the way down, and place your right foot on the accelerator, ready to go. 3. When starting, slowly lift the clutch with your left foot to about halfway. When you feel the car begin to vibrate, release the handbrake promptly, then lightly press the accelerator. As the car moves forward, slowly release the clutch and add a bit more accelerator to start successfully. 4. Beginners should be especially careful when starting on a slope. If the handbrake is released too quickly and the clutch isn't lifted enough, the car may roll back. The best method is to press both the clutch and brake when starting (the handbrake can be omitted). When the clutch is halfway lifted, release the brake. At this point, the car is in a semi-clutch state and won't roll back. Then, press the accelerator while slowly releasing the clutch to start successfully.
When starting a manual transmission car as a daily commuter, I've developed the habit of pressing the brake first to ensure safety. On slopes or in heavy traffic, not using the brake could lead to rolling backward or rear-end collisions - I learned this the hard way during my beginner days. My instructor taught me: right foot on the brake to keep the car stationary, left foot on the clutch, shift into first gear, then gradually release the clutch with the left foot while moving the right foot to the accelerator to give gas. On flat roads, you might skip the brake, but making braking a habit prevents failed starts. After ten years of driving experience, I've found this method significantly reduces stalling risks, especially effective during rainy or snowy conditions when roads are slippery. My advice for manual transmission learners: start with the fundamentals, don't skip this step - safety comes first, especially given the unpredictable and complex situations on the road.
As a novice who just got my driver's license, the instructor emphasized that I must press the brake first when starting. I remember my first time on the road, I forgot to press it and the car lurched forward, almost hitting a wall. Later, I practiced this operation until it became second nature: after stopping, firmly press the brake with my right foot, press the clutch with my left foot and shift into first gear, release the brake with my right foot while gently pressing the accelerator, and slowly release the clutch with my left foot. The car then starts smoothly. In residential areas or school zones, I always operate this way, feeling safer and more reliable. A friend said that experts can start without pressing the brake on flat roads, but beginners should still do it diligently. After all, when the clutch isn't fully mastered, this step is a safety measure to avoid accidents and also helps develop better driving rhythm.
