Should You Press the Clutch When Braking to Stop?

[SanTyler]

You should press the clutch when braking. Because pressing the clutch is equivalent to driving in neutral, if you brake to stop without pressing the clutch, the car remains in gear. Since it's in gear, it will naturally continue to move, so braking without pressing the clutch will cause the engine to stall. Related information: 1. Brake: A mechanical braking device that can slow down the speed of the vehicle, also known as a decelerator. Simply put: The car's brake pedal is located under the steering wheel. Pressing the brake pedal causes the brake lever to be pressurized and transmitted to the brake pads on the brake drum, which then clamp the brake disc, slowing down or stopping the vehicle. 2. Clutch: The clutch is located in 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. While driving, the driver can press or release the clutch pedal as needed to temporarily separate or gradually engage the engine and the transmission, thereby cutting off or transmitting the power from the engine to the transmission.

[LylaRose]

Whether to press the clutch when braking depends on whether it's a manual or automatic transmission. For automatic transmissions, simply press the brake. For manual transmissions, it varies: when the speed is still relatively high, lightly press the brake to slow down first—don't rush to press the clutch. Wait until the speed drops to about 10 km/h before pressing the clutch along with the brake to come to a smooth stop. If the speed is very low and you don't press the clutch, the car will stall. After driving for so many years, I've found this habit crucial, especially when waiting at traffic lights. Judging the distance in advance is key to a smooth stop that doesn't harm the car and saves fuel.

[Lilliana]

When driving a manual transmission car, you need to press the clutch when braking to stop, but timing is crucial. I've found that in city driving, during rapid deceleration, it's best to press the brake first to slow down, then press the clutch about two seconds before coming to a complete stop. This prevents the engine from stalling while ensuring smooth braking. Remember, never press both the brake and clutch simultaneously to the floor, as this can cause jerking and wear out the brake pads prematurely. Once, I accidentally stalled on a slope, and the car behind me honked impatiently. After developing this habit, stopping has become much smoother, ensuring both safety and clutch protection.

[LeHazel]

When parking a manual transmission car, you must press the clutch at the end, otherwise the engine will definitely stall. For beginners practicing, the key is to master the rhythm: when seeing a red light, first release the accelerator, lightly brake to slow down, and when the speed drops to walking pace, press the clutch all the way down, then gradually brake to a complete stop. Except for emergencies, avoid pressing the clutch too early during normal parking, as it reduces braking effectiveness and wastes fuel. I've taught many students and always remind them to watch the tachometer needle—when it's about to drop to idle speed, it's time to press the clutch. After practicing a few times, your body will naturally remember the motion.