What happens if you release the clutch and then step on the brake?
2 Answers
If you step on the brake while in gear, the engine will stall. If in neutral, stepping on the brake has no effect. Below are the relevant explanations: 1. At low speeds: For a manual transmission car, if the car is stationary and you press the brake fully without disengaging the clutch, the engine cannot drive the car, causing the crankshaft to stop moving and the engine to stall. While moving, as long as the car's speed is higher than the speed corresponding to the engine idle speed at the current transmission gear ratio, the car will not stall. 2. At high speeds: When decelerating, if the speed is above 40, it is advisable to brake while in gear (this effectively utilizes the engine's resistance to decelerate, reduces brake pad wear, and avoids clutch wear). After the speed drops below 40, you can then press the clutch to shift to neutral or engage a suitable lower gear.
I've been driving manual transmission cars for over ten years. It's actually quite common to press the brake after fully releasing the clutch, especially when slowing down on flat roads or downhill. With the engine and drivetrain properly connected, braking will make the car slow down steadily, though the engine may feel slightly burdened and the RPM might drop a bit—it won't stall directly. However, if you do this when stopping or at low speeds, like in city traffic, releasing the clutch and then slamming the brake might cause the car to lurch forward, with the engine making a "gurgling" sound, which feels uncomfortable. Over time, this increases engine load, reduces fuel efficiency, and wears out brake pads faster. So, I usually prefer to lightly press the clutch when slowing down to cushion the effect, making the drive smoother and safer.
