Should You Press the Clutch When Braking?

[VanElle]

When braking, it is not always necessary to press the clutch. Depending on the vehicle speed and road conditions, there are two scenarios: The first is when you stop applying the throttle and the speed drops to a certain level. If you only press the brake without pressing the clutch, the car may stall. For short-distance braking, simultaneously pressing the clutch and brake pedals is a safer approach. The second scenario occurs when the car is moving at high speed. Due to inertia, the wheels rotate at a high speed, and pressing only the brake without the clutch will not cause the car to stall. However, the brake pads bear the full braking pressure, and prolonged friction can cause them to overheat, turn red, and lose braking effectiveness, potentially leading to safety hazards. Drivers need not worry about stalling when going downhill—as long as the car has momentum and is still moving, intermittent braking (pump braking) will not cause the car to stall.