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

[AngelaLynn]

When decelerating a car, you should press the brake first, then follow with the clutch. Here's a detailed explanation of whether to press the clutch or brake first when decelerating: 1. Press the brake first, then follow with the clutch. In fact, it's not always necessary to press the clutch when braking; frequently pressing the clutch can actually be harmful as it wears out the clutch plate. The clutch is generally pressed when shifting gears (though some experienced drivers shift without pressing it) or when temporarily stopping without shifting to neutral. 2. When braking, avoid pressing the clutch initially; only press it when the car slows down enough to require a gear change. When descending a slope with brakes, it's best not to shift to neutral or press the clutch, as this can be dangerous. Instead, simply select an appropriate gear based on your speed for descending the slope.