How do you stop when you drive manual transmission car?

Question

Using the brake or Downshifting. Are not you concern about your transmission more then your brake pads considering the difference in their price.

Answer 1

The obvious answer for me is to shift the car into neutral and then use the brakes. Brake pad replacement is one heck of a lot cheaper than a clutch replacement and that's not the only thing that wears on on the transmission!

Everytime you shift gears you exercise the syncromesh associated with each forward gear. Reverse generally doesn't need any such syncromesh which is why sometimes it is difficult to get into reverse.

The clutch throw-out bearing is given a large break too when you leave that clutch pedal out as much as possible. In that possition the throw-out bearing is not being used. Held down to the floor, the throw-out bearing is working it's tail off!

When the transmission is in neutral the engine speed decreases to idle speed, around 800 rpm. At that point I am using very little fuel while the ground under the tires is still passing under the car pretty quickly. That translates to fuel economy! A quick kick up in rpm and I can put it in any gear I want.

The only reason I can give for downshifting through your deceleration is to gain the capacity for a quick acceleration. That is easily solved with some defensive driving techniques and it really isn't that slow shifting into whatever gear I want when I need it anyway!

My '90 Honda Prelude has 230,000 miles on it's original clutch! The only thing that has been replaced is the clutch acutation parts since that is controlled by hydraulics with a master and a slave cylinder similar to the brake system.

Answer 2

During normal stopping it is better to brake and then downshift to the next lower gear and no lower than second gear. You never want to accelerate or have the vehicle going at higher speeds than your red line for each gear. This procedure will not cause abnormal wear on your transmission or brakes. However, during emergency braking we all know you have no choice but to brake only and let the vehicle die due to low RPMs since you did not have time to shift. Most of the time the vehicle pops out of gear during this emergency braking anyways. Never a good idea to put vehicle in neutral and brake as this can cause initial vehicle acceleration on downgrades and no power to get up an incline. Happy safe driving.

Answer 3

Use both. Be careful to not use the clutch to decelerate also known as "riding the clutch". Keep in mind the material used for the clutch plate is similar to the material you find in brake pads. When you are riding the clutch it will smell like something is burning. You risk heating the flywheel and warping it causing a pulsation feeling when releasing the clutch pedal. When down shifting use moderate braking pressure.

Answer 4

I use the brakes first, then downshift as the rpm falls.

Answer 5

I use the brake and then downshift, as the rpm lowers

Answer 6

You can gently downshift and then brake, if you do it right you won't compromise either in a big way.

Answer 7

The brakes first to slow down, then go into lower gear

Answer 8

If you drive it properly, both your brake pads and your transmission will last a long time.

Answer 9

Well... put it in neutro den just brake... use the closh when you accelerate again

Answer 10

use both, it is far better for a car to use multiple sources for breaking to reduce the strain put on one or the other