Should You Press the Clutch First When Braking in a Manual Transmission Car?

[VanElena]

It is generally not recommended to press the clutch first when braking in a manual transmission car. The correct procedure is to press the brake first and then depress the clutch when the speed decreases to near stopping. This is to prevent the engine from stalling. In an emergency situation requiring an immediate stop, you should press both the clutch and brake simultaneously. In such cases, it's advisable to use intermittent braking (pumping the brakes), with higher and longer frequency being more effective in preventing the car from rolling over. If you don't press the clutch, the engine's reverse drag force may interfere with the normal operation of the ABS system, potentially affecting emergency avoidance maneuvers. This becomes even more dangerous on slippery roads. The consequence of only pressing the brake without the clutch is inevitable engine stall. Although the braking distance remains unchanged, there is still a risk of secondary accidents after coming to a stop.