When starting from a red light, should you release the clutch or brake first?
2 Answers
Under normal circumstances, when the car is on a flat road, there is no need to press the brake, so there is no question of whether to release the clutch or brake first when starting. You can simply release the clutch to the semi-engaged position. However, during driving practice, instructors often emphasize pressing the brake for safety reasons, to prevent the car from lurching forward if the gear was not in neutral. Regarding the use of the clutch, it should meet the following main requirements: 1. Smooth and gentle engagement to ensure a stable start; 2. Quick and thorough disengagement for easy gear shifting and engine starting; 3. Appropriate reserve capacity to both transmit the engine's maximum torque and prevent transmission overload; 4. The driven part should have minimal inertia to reduce impact during gear shifting; 5. Good heat dissipation capability. During driving, frequent operation of the clutch can cause relative slipping between the driving and driven parts, generating friction heat. If this heat is not dissipated in time, it can severely affect the reliability and lifespan of the clutch.
When I first learned to drive, I made a mistake at red light starts. I always thought I should lift the clutch first, which often caused the engine to stall and led to honking from cars behind me. Later, my coach corrected me, explaining that the proper method is to first move your foot off the brake, allowing the car to creep forward slightly, then gradually lift the clutch while gently pressing the accelerator. This makes the start much smoother. The key is that the car already has slight power output, preventing sudden stalling or jerking. Especially during hill starts, getting the sequence wrong could lead to dangerous rolling backward. I recommend practicing more to develop the habit and ensure driving safety.
