Will the car stall if the brake is pressed all the way down?

[Dave]

Manual transmission vehicles will not stall when braking. Below are specific explanations about stalling during braking: 1. Stalling scenario: The vehicle will only stall when the brake is pressed hard and held down, because at this time, as the car decelerates, the clutch remains engaged, causing the engine speed to drop sharply below idle speed, resulting in stalling. 2. Precautions: On highways where speed is high, you can press the brake directly until the speed drops to 45km/h before depressing the clutch. This allows full utilization of engine braking. However, if you only press the brake without depressing the clutch, it may cause the vehicle to stall in mild cases, or severely damage the transmission and engine. If you're not coming to a complete stop, such as slowing down from 100 to 60 to follow the car ahead closely, there's absolutely no need to depress the clutch.

[DeEmmanuel]

I've been driving for over 20 years and have mastered both manual and automatic transmissions. Whether slamming the brakes causes stalling mainly depends on the vehicle type. With automatic transmissions, there's basically no need to worry—they have smart systems like ABS and electronic controls, so even stomping on the brakes won't stall the engine, at most the car will just stop. Manual transmissions are different. If you suddenly slam the brakes while accelerating hard in a low gear, the engine RPM may drop too quickly, potentially causing it to stall. I've experienced this in older cars—it was almost dangerous. But most modern cars are advanced now, with ABS helping prevent such situations. The key is driving habits: don't panic during hard braking, prioritize steering control first. If concerned about stalling risks, you could shift to neutral and use the handbrake, though this is generally only for slowing before parking. In short, with daily driving in automatics, stalling is nearly impossible.

[ColeRose]

When I was a beginner, I also used to worry about whether slamming the brakes would stall the car. After researching, I learned that automatic transmission cars are designed with protective mechanisms—pressing the brakes all the way will bring the car to a smooth stop without stalling. Manual transmission cars are a bit trickier; if you press the accelerator while braking hard, the sudden change in engine load can sometimes cause a stall. However, modern cars with ABS can adjust braking force to reduce this possibility. From a safety perspective, in emergencies, you should slam the brakes without hesitation because stalling is extremely rare in automatic transmissions. I once experienced a skid on a rainy day—slamming the brakes brought the car to a safe stop without any issues. For practice, remember: in manual transmissions, downshift appropriately when decelerating to avoid straining the engine. Regular brake system maintenance is also essential to reduce failure rates.

[Rudy]

Simply sharing my experience: In most cars, pressing the brake pedal all the way down won't cause the engine to stall. Automatic transmission vehicles have electronic engine control, which automatically adjusts fuel supply during hard braking, allowing the car to stop normally. Manual transmission cars are different—if you brake hard in a low gear, the engine RPM may drop sharply, potentially causing accidental stalling. However, this isn't a common issue, as ABS technology helps cushion the process. My advice is to stay calm while driving and reduce speed to a safe level before fully applying the brakes. With a well-maintained vehicle, the risk of stalling is minimal, so there's no need for excessive worry.