What is the difference between braking and stopping?
3 Answers
Braking, also known as stopping, refers to the action of bringing a moving vehicle, locomotive, or other transportation tool or machinery to a halt or reducing its speed. 1. Two types of braking: Engine braking means releasing the throttle to reduce the engine speed, thereby achieving the purpose of deceleration, while service braking is achieved by stepping on the brake pedal. Under non-emergency conditions, engine braking can reduce the use of brakes and extend the lifespan of brake pads, whereas friction braking relies on friction pads to achieve deceleration. 2. Comparison: Service braking is more efficient in deceleration than engine braking; engine braking results in a slower deceleration process, while service braking can quickly and effectively achieve the goal of deceleration. During long downhill descents, using engine braking can reduce wear on the brake discs. If one always relies on service braking to maintain a constant deceleration during long downhill descents, it will accelerate the wear and tear on the brake discs.
When I drive a manual transmission car, I often need to use braking to control the speed. Braking is actually a general concept that includes all methods of slowing down or stopping the car, such as pressing the brake pedal, using engine braking to downshift, or pulling the handbrake. The term 'brake,' on the other hand, specifically refers to the friction system that relies on the interaction between brake discs and pads to slow down the car—what we commonly call 'stepping on the brakes.' This distinction is quite practical. For example, when going downhill on a mountain road, I can rely solely on engine braking to avoid overheating and damaging the brakes, thereby extending the lifespan of the brake pads. I only learned this after getting my driver's license, and it has been very helpful for daily maintenance—braking broadly covers safety measures, while the brake system is the core hardware component. Understanding this clearly can prevent accidents, such as avoiding over-reliance on the brake system leading to failure.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I clearly distinguish between braking and the brake system. Braking refers to the entire deceleration process, including any action that stops or slows down the vehicle, such as using the foot brake or retarder; the brake system specifically denotes that set of mechanical components, referring to the disc and hydraulic friction system near the wheels. During long-distance driving, I pay special attention to this by combining engine braking with the foot brake, which helps protect the brake components from premature wear and is crucial for safety. For example, when driving in rainy conditions, proper braking techniques can enhance vehicle stability, going beyond simply pressing the brake pedal.
