Should You Press the Clutch All the Way Down Before Braking?
2 Answers
Press the clutch all the way down before braking. Below is an introduction to the car clutch: 1. Definition: The clutch is located inside the flywheel housing between the engine and the transmission. The clutch assembly is fixed to the rear plane of the flywheel with screws, and the output shaft of the clutch is the input shaft of the transmission. 2. Classification: Clutches are divided into four types: electromagnetic clutches, magnetic particle clutches, friction clutches, and hydraulic clutches. 3. Principle: When starting the vehicle, the driver presses the clutch, and the movement of the clutch pedal pulls the pressure plate backward, meaning the pressure plate separates from the friction disc. At this point, the pressure plate and the flywheel are not in contact at all, so there is no relative friction.
I remember my driving instructor repeatedly emphasized: Brake first! When slowing down normally, you should lightly press the brake first, and then press the clutch to shift gears when you feel the speed dropping and almost dragging the gear. In an emergency, you must press both the clutch and brake to the floor at the same time, otherwise engine braking will affect the braking effect. Last time I drove my friend's manual car, out of habit I pressed the clutch first before braking at a red light, and almost rear-ended the car in front—without the help of engine braking, the braking distance was noticeably longer. Now it's become a reflex for me—except when shifting gears or moving the car, my left foot absolutely does not touch the clutch unnecessarily. I heard some experienced drivers don’t press the clutch at all when going downhill, controlling speed with the gear and saving brake pads in the process.
