Should You Release the Clutch or the Brake First When Starting?

[OAshlyn]

When starting a manual transmission car, you should partially release the clutch before releasing the brake. Here are the correct methods for starting: 1. Foot brake start: With the foot brake pressed, depress the clutch, shift into first gear, and release the clutch to the semi-engaged position. When the body slightly vibrates and the front of the car lifts, release the foot brake, and the car will begin to move forward slowly. 2. Handbrake start: When using the handbrake to start, there is no need to press the foot brake. This method is used when parked on a slope to stabilize the car with the handbrake. The specific steps are: hold the steering wheel firmly with the left hand, depress the clutch, shift into first gear, place the right hand on the handbrake, release the clutch to the semi-engaged point, and immediately release the handbrake, allowing the car to move forward smoothly.

[StSavannah]

Back when I drove a manual, my instructor always emphasized that when starting, you should first release the clutch to the half-engagement point, wait until the car slightly vibrates, then gradually release the brake while gently pressing the accelerator. Getting this sequence wrong is a surefire way to stall, especially on a slope. Remember, lifting your left foot off the clutch should be as gentle as stepping on cotton, while shifting your right foot to the accelerator should feel as natural as waving hello. At first, your hands and feet might not coordinate well, but with a few more practices, muscle memory will kick in. Now, I can start faster at red lights than most automatic transmissions.

[SaraLynn]

Teaching my wife to drive that day really made me break out in a sweat. She kept fully releasing the brake while abruptly lifting the clutch, causing the car to lurch forward with loud thuds. The correct approach should be like eating pudding: first gently touch with the tip of your tongue to feel the slight tremble of the car body—that's the semi-engagement point, then slowly release the brake. The key is that the clutch and brake need a handover ceremony—only after the engine and transmission have joined hands can the brake gracefully retire.

[MacNoah]

When I first got my license, I always rolled back on hills. Later, a seasoned driver taught me a trick: pull the handbrake tight, lift the clutch until the car hood rises, then quickly move your right foot from the brake to the gas pedal. The handbrake was a lifesaver during this process. After ten years of driving manual, I've realized the essence is letting the clutch and gas pedal 'fall in love'—the brake is just a third wheel that needs to exit once they connect.