Clutch or Brake First when stopping or slowing down in a manual car?
Summary
TLDRThis instructional video script explains the various methods of using the clutch and brake while driving, including when to apply the clutch before the brake, brake before the clutch, or both simultaneously. It emphasizes the importance of understanding engine revs, particularly around 1,000 RPM, to prevent stalling and offers tips for uphill and downhill driving. The script also advises against unnecessary clutch use, which can hinder engine braking and smooth driving, and suggests focusing on braking before shifting gears for beginners.
Takeaways
- π The clutch should be engaged when engine revs drop to around 1,000 RPM to prevent stalling.
- π There are five methods for slowing down or stopping a car: clutch before brake, brake before clutch, both simultaneously, only brake, and only clutch.
- π Engine sound can be used to gauge when to engage the clutch if there's no rev counter available.
- π When slowing down, it's important to use the brake first and then the clutch as revs approach 1,000 RPM to avoid stalling.
- π In situations requiring sudden braking, both the brake and clutch can be used at the same time to ensure the car stops without stalling.
- π£ When only a slight deceleration is needed, one can use the brake without the clutch, as long as the revs don't drop below 1,000 RPM.
- β°οΈ Uphill driving often requires using the clutch first to avoid stopping too early due to the car's natural deceleration on an incline.
- π½ Engine braking is beneficial, especially when going downhill, and should be utilized by not engaging the clutch prematurely.
- π« Avoid pressing the clutch down every time you slow down if it's not necessary, as it can lead to loss of engine braking and smoother operation.
- π§ Understanding your car's minimum revs is crucial for knowing when to engage the clutch to prevent stalling.
- π Changing gears should be done with care, focusing on braking before selecting gears, especially when approaching a stop or slow junction.
Q & A
What is the general rule for when to press the clutch while braking?
-The clutch should be pressed down when the engine revs drop to around 1000 RPM to prevent stalling. If you're unsure, it's better to rely on the sound of the engine, pressing the clutch when the engine gets quiet or starts to struggle.
Why is it not advisable to press the clutch every time you brake?
-Pressing the clutch every time you brake can lead to unnecessary wear and prevents the use of engine braking, which is especially useful when going downhill. This habit can also cause the car to speed up before braking, making it harder to control.
When should you use both the brake and clutch simultaneously?
-You should use both the brake and clutch simultaneously if you need to brake suddenly and donβt have time to press the clutch first. This prevents stalling while ensuring a quick stop.
In what situation is it appropriate to only use the clutch without the brake?
-Using only the clutch without the brake is appropriate when driving uphill, especially for new drivers who might stop too early. The hill naturally slows the car, so using just the clutch allows for more control without over-slowing the car.
What should you do if you're slowing down but don't need to stop completely?
-If you're slowing down without needing to stop completely, you should brake until the revs drop near 1000 RPM, then press the clutch down. This allows you to smoothly slow down without stalling.
Why is engine braking important, and when should it be used?
-Engine braking is important because it helps control the speed of the car without excessive use of the brakes, especially on downhill slopes. It should be used when slowing down without needing to stop completely, as it provides a smoother deceleration.
When should you change gears after pressing the clutch?
-You should only change gears after pressing the clutch if you're nearly stopped or need to shift to a lower gear for better engine braking. If you're just slowing down, focus on braking and only change gears once you're at a very low speed.
What is the best approach when slowing down to a near stop at a junction?
-When slowing down to a near stop at a junction, you should brake and press the clutch down when the revs drop near 1000 RPM, keeping it in the current gear until you're almost stopped. Only shift into first gear when you're nearly stopped or completely stopped.
How can new drivers avoid stalling when stopping and starting uphill?
-New drivers can avoid stalling uphill by using the clutch to control the car's speed, gradually reducing the gas as the hill slows the car down. They should also use the brake as needed to prevent rolling back and employ the handbrake if necessary.
What are the potential issues with pressing the clutch down too early?
-Pressing the clutch down too early can reduce engine braking, making it harder to control the car's speed, especially downhill. It can also lead to unnecessary wear on the clutch and gears, as well as creating the habit of relying on the clutch instead of proper braking techniques.
Outlines
π Understanding Clutch and Brake Usage
This paragraph discusses the optimal timing for using the clutch and brake when driving. The narrator explains five methods for slowing down or stopping a vehicle, emphasizing the importance of clutch engagement when the engine revs drop to around 1,000 rpm to prevent stalling. The paragraph also covers the use of sound as a guide for clutch engagement in vehicles without a rev counter, and the importance of practice to develop a feel for engine sounds. Additionally, it touches on the different scenarios where one might brake first, clutch first, or use both simultaneously, as well as when to avoid using the clutch unnecessarily.
π Techniques for Hilly Terrain and Traffic
In this paragraph, the focus shifts to specific driving situations such as uphill and downhill driving, as well as traffic conditions. The narrator advises on the correct use of the clutch and brake in these scenarios, highlighting the need for minimal brake usage when going uphill to avoid stalling, and the potential for increased speed when pressing the clutch downhill. The paragraph also addresses the common mistake of pressing the clutch down too early or too often, which can lead to a lack of engine braking and unnecessary wear on the vehicle. Moreover, it provides insights on when to change gears in relation to clutch usage, especially when approaching junctions or slowing down significantly.
π£οΈ Gear Selection and Engine Braking
The final paragraph delves into the strategy of gear selection and the use of engine braking when slowing down. The narrator recommends shifting to a lower gear for engine braking between speeds of 5 to 15 miles per hour, which helps in slowing down smoothly without the need for constant clutch and brake adjustments. It also warns against the complexity this introduces for new drivers and advises that when nearing a complete stop, it's best to simply use the brake and clutch without changing gears until nearly stopped. The paragraph concludes with a reminder to practice safe driving and mentions insurance options for learner drivers, as well as a call to action for viewers to subscribe for more content.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Clutch
π‘Brake
π‘Revs (RPM)
π‘Stalling
π‘Engine Braking
π‘Rev Counter
π‘Gear
π‘Hill Starts
π‘Handbrake Start
π‘Synchromesh
π‘Jogging Speed
Highlights
There are five methods to manage braking and clutching while driving.
Clutch should be engaged when engine revs reach around 1,000 RPM to prevent stalling.
Without a rev counter, drivers must rely on engine sound to judge when to engage the clutch.
Drivers can learn to preemptively engage the clutch before the engine struggles by listening to its sound.
In situations where the vehicle needs to slow down significantly, the clutch should be engaged first followed by the brake.
Braking first is recommended when revs are higher and there's no immediate need to stall the engine.
Pressing the clutch and brake simultaneously can be used for sudden stops without time to disengage the clutch first.
Only using the brake is suitable for minor speed reductions without causing the revs to drop too low.
Only using the clutch is beneficial when driving uphill to prevent the car from slowing down too quickly.
New drivers often struggle with stopping uphill, as they tend to stop too early due to the car's natural deceleration.
Using the clutch only can help uphill by allowing the car to slow naturally without additional braking.
Engine braking is useful, especially when driving downhill, and should not be negated by clutch engagement.
Pressing the clutch down unnecessarily can lead to loss of engine braking and potential car acceleration.
Some instructors may oversimplify by advocating always braking before clutching, but this can cause issues in certain situations.
Understanding your car's minimum revs is crucial to know when to engage the clutch to avoid stalling.
Pressing the clutch down too early can lead to a habit that negates the benefits of engine braking.
When slowing down between 5-15 mph, it's recommended to downshift for engine braking to assist with smooth deceleration.
For new drivers, focusing on braking before changing gears can improve control and prevent premature gear strain.
Practicing driving techniques without an instructor should be done with proper insurance to protect no claims bonus.
The video offers advice on how to handle clutch and brake in various driving scenarios for better control and safety.
Transcripts
I often get asked the question should I
break before clutch or clutch before
break so let me explain well if you
actually think about it there's five
methods because you can break before
clutch that's one clutch before brake to
press them both at the same time free
only break or only clutch so which one
is good for when or is there one that
you should prefer over the other let's
find out the first thing you need to
understand is that the clutch must come
down when the revs get to around a
thousand rpm it says ten here but
actually means a thousand so I'm slowing
down now with the brake and when the
revs get near a thousand clutch down to
make sure it doesn't stall if you don't
have a rev counter one of these things
that tells you how fast your engine is
spinning then you've got to go by sound
which is a little bit harder if I'm
honest with you which is why I would
only teach people in a car with a rev
counter because I think I can actually
show them what's happening if you don't
have a rev counter what you're gonna
have to do is go by sound and listen to
the engine when the engine gets very
quiet you probably need to press the
clutch down if it starts to struggle
they need to like definitely get the
clutch down we've experienced and
practice you will start to get good at
judging the sound it makes before it
struggles so you can preempt the
struggle and get the clutch down before
it struggles so at the moment I'm
driving along and my revs are very close
to a thousand rpm which means if we want
to go much slower I'll need to press the
clutch down so on this occasion I will
clutch down first and then brake as my
revs we need the minimum there many
members actually here but around a
thousand a safe ballpark so when you
revs get to near a thousand you know
clutch needs to be down it doesn't
actually need to be down this card to
about 750 but a thousand is playing it
safe so I'm gonna get going again now
and I'm going to show you the other
method brake first so to do that I'm
probably going to need a little bit more
speed so at the moment I'm driving along
and my revs are closer to 2,000 rpm as
you can see so there's no need for the
clutch
I'll start braking
and when the revs get near a thousand
then I'll press the clutch down to make
sure I don't stalled
this time I'm driving along and my revs
are near a thousand rpm again but I find
out I need to brake quite suddenly I
don't have time to press the clutch
first and then the brake so I'll just do
both at the same time to make sure I
stop without stalling so that's free
methods let's move on to the fourth and
that's only brake you would only break
when you know you're not gonna make the
revs go too low you're just slowing down
a little bit you don't go for the clutch
every time you just slow down a bit
it's not very smooth it doesn't help
your car control so here actually just a
good example I just slowed down to go
around this ambulance and this truck
probably can't see it there but
Sanderson truck there and all I did was
a transition from the gas to the brake
just to brush a bit of speed off I
didn't need to slow down enough it's a
warrant pressing the clutch down when
changing gear so I just use the brake
now for example let's say I want to slow
down I just use the brake the revs don't
go below a thousand so I'm okay you went
a little bit below a thousand but I'm
still okay didn't go all the way down to
750 so go back to the gas and carry on
I've got to slow down again just use the
brake to slow down no clutch needed
again back to the gas go around this
part car and carry on so now there's one
left and that is to only use the clutch
you're only going to do this when you're
uphill a lot of new drivers have a
problem stopping uphill and the problem
is they stopped way too early all the
time because until you learn how a car
works you don't expect the car to slow
down quite as quickly as it does when
you're growing up Hills so when your
driving instructor asks you to pull over
at the side of the road you go for the
brake and go to slow down like you would
do on the flat which you're probably
used to because that's where you started
you probably started on flats and the
car suddenly slows down and you're still
in your lane you haven't yet even
reached the kerb you let alone line up
with the kerb to make sure you're
straight and nicely parked this is where
using the clutch only can help because
then you're not adding braking to the
car you're not slowing it down more
quickly the hill is already doing that
for you you're letting the hill slow
down on its own and in fact when you use
this method it's probably best not to go
straight for the clutch straight away
firstly just start with
use the gas let the hill start to slow
you down by giving less gas maybe a
little bit of gas so the hill doesn't
slow you down too much and you gradually
come off a gas more and more until
you're happy and you think hmm
I need to come off gas completely now
because I'm nearly there I definitely
want to slow down more then you press
the clutch down to make sure you
continue slowing down and you may need a
little bit of brake at the end you
probably will if your uphill actually
just stopped you're rolling back if
you're going to carry on if you're not
parking if you're just slowing down in
traffic you may not even go for the
brake you might use the gas and bring
the clutch up again as the car stops to
carry on here's an example so I'm moving
away now and getting a bit of speed and
let's say I want to pull over the side
of the road so I'm doing about 18 miles
an hour I want to slow down so I'm
coming off the gas gently and it starts
to slow down and I want to stop here yet
so I'm holding the gasoline just to keep
it going now I'm off the gas food
because I do want to slow it down more
now the car starts pulling me along so I
want the clutch down to signal as a car
behind me and the car is stopping itself
and just as it stops and use a little
bit of brake to stop me from rolling
back and moving on from that you may
only use the clutch as well when you're
in traffic as I just mentioned you may
want to be stopping and starting uphill
no need to keep going for the brake so
if I was stopping and starting uphill
I've got gas and bite point now to move
myself forwards track the traffic and
front slows down so I push the clutch
down to slow down the traffic in front
starts moving be a gas lift the clutch
to carry on it starts slowing down again
clutch down let it slow down it starts
to move gas and by point to carry on the
traffic stops for a while
well clutch down maybe then I'll use the
brake to stop me rolling back and into a
handbrake start when I want to get going
again so I don't roll back I have a
video on Hill starts check it out if you
don't know what I mean when I say
handbrake start so there you go there's
your five methods whether you use the
brake first or the clutch first or both
at the same time or you don't need to
brake at all all depends on the
situation if your uphill you're probably
going to need very little break if
you're downhill you're certainly going
to need more brake and you don't need to
get the clutch down until the revs are
around a thousand
try not to go down this road of pressing
the clutch down every time you need to
slow down to make sure you don't stall
because you're afraid of stalling you've
read on a stool you think well if I
press the clutch down there's no chance
of me stalling because that brings about
its own problems the problem with
pressing the clutch down every time you
go to slow down when it's not needed is
you don't get engine braking and engine
braking is very useful especially
downhill if you press the clutch down
first when you're downhill the car is
going to speed up a little bit before
you get to the brake to slow down which
is why you'd only want to press the
clutch down first when you're downhill
if the Rebs are already low and in that
situation I'll probably use the brake
and the clutch at the same time to avoid
the car or to prevent the car from
speeding up when you press the clutch
down the brake will help you stay slow
some driving instructors will tell you
you must break before clutch all the
time they're trying to oversimplify a
little bit so you don't go for the
clutch unnecessarily the problem with
that is is that if you do need to clutch
down first if you brake first you're
gonna make the car struggle and maybe
even stall to know how low your car can
rev simply switch it on and see where
the rev set or where the rev settle is
about where the minimum is so you want
to get the clutch down by that point
some cars are as high as a thousand some
cars go down to about 500 this is around
about 750 but in any situation make sure
you get the clutch down by the time the
engine gets to its minimum speed to
prevent you from stalling don't try and
get the clutch down much before it
because you won't have engine braking
which will affect you negatively
downhill but also you may get into the
habit of just pressing the clutch down
every time you see a problem when you
didn't actually need the clutch down you
only needed a break a little bit which
means you've pressed the clutch down for
no reason you've got to bring it back up
again which takes time and if you don't
bring it up very well it's going to be
less smooth - here's some bonus
information this isn't totally related
to when to get the clutch down this is
more about should you change gear as
soon as the clutch goes down because
that's another common problem new
drivers have is they go for the gear
stick as soon as the clutch goes down
even though they don't need to when
their attention is better focused on
breaking because breaking is actually
quite hard to get breaking done well you
have to focus on it otherwise you'll
break too early or too late if you're
not fully focused I'm talking about if
you're coming up to a really slow
junction a junction where you know
you're likely going to have to stop or
very nearly stop I'm in third gear at
the moment doing around about 20 miles
an hour and I'm coming up to a junction
I'm not actually let's pretend I'm
coming up to a junction where I'm gonna
have to almost stop so I'm gonna start
braking and when my revs get to around a
thousand I'm gonna press the clutch down
just leave it in third gear don't need
to change the gear I just focus on my
braking so get that right level of
braking to get really close to the end
of the road whatever it is you're trying
to stop for and really slow and once you
really slow then pop it in first and
either continue stopping and stop with a
brake or if it's safe carry on that
makes such a big difference to new
drivers because it allows them to really
focus on their braking and you don't
really want to select first gear until
you're nearly stopped anyway so better
wait until you've basically finished
stopping and then go into first because
some cars if you try and put them into
first gear when you're going at any kind
of speed much more than five miles an
hour it's really stiff to get it into
gear and it puts a lot of strain on
first gear synchromesh so you can wear
your gears out a bit quicker too however
I have a different opinion when it comes
to slowing down to say between five and
15 miles an hour or anything above 5
miles now really then I recommend you go
into lower gear to give you engine
braking which will help you slow down
smoothly but because you've gone into
the low again you've bought the clutch
back up again you're now ready to go
when the time comes I don't recommend
doing it if you're going to stop if you
know you're going to stop or nearly
stopped using engine braking does make
it well it helps you slow down a bit
more smoothly but it does make it a lot
more complicated which can be difficult
for a newer driver because they've got a
go to a lower gear bring the clutch back
up again and when they get too slow for
that gear they've got a Presta clutch
back down again so if you are nearly
stopping just brake push the clutch down
and wait and see nearly stopped but if
you know you're not going to stop
and you're most like you're just gonna
slow down to some sort of jogging speed
or anything above that really go to the
gear that's appropriate for that speed
for example I mean third gear again
about 20 miles an hour and I'm looking
at a problem up ahead I think I'm
probably gonna have to so now is about
10 miles an hour that I'm pretty have to
jog round that problem so I'll brake go
to the second gear bring the clutch back
up now I'm ready to continue bringing
the clutch up help me slow down now when
I go I press the gas and I go I don't
have to do anything with the gears and
clutch afterwards I'm ready if you're
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