Should You Press the Clutch Every Time You Slow Down?
3 Answers
This depends on the vehicle's speed. When driving at high speeds, you should first press the brake, then the clutch, and then select the appropriate gear based on the speed. If you press the clutch first and then the brake, the vehicle speed will increase after pressing the clutch, potentially causing loss of control at high speeds. When driving at low speeds, you should still press the brake first to slow down, then press the clutch. The details are as follows: 1. Incorrect Practice: Emergency braking while in neutral during driving can cause the vehicle to lose balance and skid sideways, ultimately leading to a collision due to loss of control. Similarly, pressing the clutch while braking can have the same effect, especially when going downhill. Never brake in neutral or with the clutch pressed, as this can easily lead to loss of control and accidents. 2. Correct Method: The proper procedure is to press the brake first, then press the clutch after the vehicle slows down, and quickly shift gears. Pressing the brake first helps reduce the vehicle's speed. However, avoid slamming the brakes too hard, as this can cause the engine to stall.
After driving manual transmission for so many years, I've figured out a trick: whether to press the clutch when decelerating depends on the situation. If the speed hasn't dropped too low, say above 30 km/h, maintaining the gear with some brake pressure actually gives better control – no need to touch the clutch then. But when speed drops below 20 km/h or the engine starts shuddering near stall, you must immediately depress the clutch fully, otherwise the car will jerk uncomfortably. Remember, never develop the habit of pressing the clutch with every brake application – especially during long descents, engine braking is safer as it reduces brake pad wear. Automatic transmission drivers don't have this headache, the computer handles it all for us.
When I first got my driver's license, I used to struggle with this issue. The instructor repeatedly emphasized 'speed determines the foot.' Now I understand—the key is to watch the tachometer! For example, when driving at 60 km/h in fifth gear and the car ahead slows down, I lightly press the brake. As long as the RPM doesn't drop below 1000, there's no need to touch the clutch. But if the speed slows significantly before a red light and the tachometer needle starts shaking violently, failing to press the clutch will make the engine protest. I recommend beginners try braking at different speeds on open roads to find that critical RPM point. Oh, and pay extra attention when slowing down during cold starts in winter—the engine is more prone to stalling when the oil hasn't warmed up yet.
