When slowing down, should you press the clutch or the brake?

[LylaDella]

Whether to press the clutch or the brake when slowing down depends on the situation: 1. When the speed is high: you should first press the brake and then the clutch; 2. When the speed is low: you can directly press the clutch first and then the brake; 3. For slight deceleration, simply release the accelerator pedal without pressing either the clutch or the brake. Driving precautions include: 1. Pay attention to vehicles behind when turning or changing lanes, judge the distance, and turn on the turn signal in advance before changing lanes or turning; 2. Observe the traffic conditions through the rearview mirror in time when changing lanes, reversing, or overtaking; 3. Avoid excessive or frequent steering wheel adjustments, and correct the direction promptly if the vehicle tends to deviate; 4. Maintain a safe driving distance.

[MacGabriela]

When slowing down, you generally press the brake first and only press the clutch when the speed drops to a lower level. For example, I've been driving a manual transmission for over 20 years and have developed the habit of pressing the brake first to control speed in traffic, maintaining a safe distance. When the speed drops below 30 km/h or when you feel the engine is about to stall, lightly press the clutch. If you're braking to slow down on the highway, you hardly need to use the clutch; in city traffic, you only touch the clutch when slowing to low speeds. This makes braking more effective, and the engine can also assist in slowing down, preventing loss of vehicle control. Pressing the clutch too early can result in coasting in neutral, increasing the braking distance and risk. Developing this habit has reduced my accident rate and made gear shifts smoother.

[LaJayce]

When learning to drive, my instructor taught me to prioritize braking for deceleration and only use the clutch at low speeds. At first, I often made the mistake of pressing the clutch immediately when slowing down, which increased the braking distance and nearly caused a rear-end collision. Now I've developed the habit of using only the brake for deceleration during normal driving, and only pressing the clutch when the speed drops to about 20 km/h or when coming to a complete stop to prevent stalling. Engine braking can assist the brakes and improve efficiency, especially on downhill sections. I once experienced a scary skid in rainy weather because I pressed the clutch too early, and I quickly corrected it. Simply put, braking first and then using the clutch is much safer.

[GrantMarie]

When slowing down, apply the brakes without touching the clutch unless shifting gears or coming to a complete stop. Engaging the clutch too early disables engine braking and extends stopping distance, which is dangerous during sharp turns or heavy traffic. Only lightly press the clutch when speed drops near zero or when gear engagement is required. Proper operation ensures vehicle stability and reduces maintenance costs.