What happens when you press both the brake and clutch together
2 Answers
The following is a detailed analysis of the specific situation: 1. When the vehicle speed decreases or during short-distance braking while pressing both pedals: If you stop pressing the accelerator and the vehicle speed drops to a certain level, pressing only the brake without the clutch will cause the car to stall. 2. Higher speeds or long-distance braking do not require pressing the clutch: When the car is moving at high speed, due to inertia, the wheel rotation speed remains very high. In this case, pressing only the brake (referring to gentle braking, not slamming the brake pedal all the way down) without pressing the clutch will not cause the vehicle to stall. Especially when going downhill for a long distance, pressing the clutch would actually eliminate the engine's braking effect.
Having driven manual transmission cars for decades, simultaneously pressing the brake and clutch has become a deeply ingrained habit for me. This operation, especially before stopping, prevents engine stalling and ensures smooth deceleration. I remember when I was younger and drove frequently in the city with many traffic lights, this method saved a lot of hassle. However, I later noticed that the clutch plates wore out faster, leading to more frequent repairs. If I only press the brake without the clutch, the engine might suddenly stop, causing a loss of braking power, which is even more dangerous during emergency braking. Therefore, I now use this method only when necessary, such as on slopes or in traffic jams. Normally, I brake first when decelerating and then handle the clutch, which extends the lifespan of the components and also saves some fuel costs.
