When driving, should I press the clutch or the brake to slow down?
2 Answers
When driving, to slow down, first gently press the brake to reduce speed, then press the clutch when the engine RPM drops below 1000 to prevent the car from stalling. Below are some related introductions about slowing down: 1. Emergency braking: In emergency situations where the vehicle needs to be stopped in the shortest distance and time, do not consider unnecessary factors like engine braking. Simply press both the clutch and brake pedals to the floor simultaneously. This cuts off all engine power while the vehicle's ESP and ABS systems allow the wheels to move in a semi-rolling, semi-sliding state, maximizing traction to bring the vehicle to a stop. 2. Deceleration at 30km/h or below: You can directly press the clutch and use the brake to slow down. At lower speeds, the gear is also lower, and the engine's traction force is relatively strong. Therefore, pressing the clutch cuts off the power; if you don't release the clutch while slowing down, it might cause the engine to stall.
I've been driving manual transmission cars for twenty years, and when decelerating, I absolutely only use the brakes without touching the clutch. The purpose of the clutch is to separate the engine from the transmission; pressing it means the car loses power input and relies solely on inertia to coast, which actually speeds up the car—especially dangerous on slopes. I remember once on a mountain road when there were signs of brake failure, I tried pressing the clutch, but the car accelerated rapidly, nearly causing an accident. Since then, I've only trusted the braking system for deceleration. Normal deceleration, like at a red light or when the car ahead brakes suddenly, involves directly pressing the brake pedal to slow the wheels. Only when the speed drops low enough to shift to a lower gear to avoid stalling do I lightly press the clutch to coordinate the gear shift. But the starting point and main action of deceleration must always be the brakes—this maintains control and avoids the risk of losing it. Beginners often make this mistake and should correct the habit early. Decelerate with the brakes; use the clutch sparingly to ensure safety and quick response.
