I'm learning how to drive a standard transmission and i'm pretty good at getting it started and driving i'm just confused on how to break. do i have to break with the clutch in? or do I just break normally. I must have stalled the car dozens of times and i'm like "How am I doing this?" its so confusing. please help!
2007-01-27 10:49:48 · 6 answers · asked by texastreasure 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
You can slow your speed with brakes without having to dis-engage (push in) the clutch..., that is, until you're almost at a complete stop. Just before you acually do stop, then you must push the clutch or else you'll stall the car.
Here's how it work (so you'll understand how and why).
The transmission (gears) is connected directly to the drive wheels, so when the wheels are turning (while you drive) so too are the gears in the tranny.
The clutch is a coupling between the tranny and the engine, so when the clutch is engaged (let out), the engine power gets coupled through the clutch to the tranny, and in turn, to the wheels (now you are driving).
When you want to stop, this means the wheels and tranny must stop turning. Since you want to keep your engine running, you must uncouple (dis-engage) the engine from the tranny. That's what the clutch is for, so you push it in.
As long as you remain in motion, you simply use the clutch to smooth gear shifts needed to build or reduce speed.
This is probably more info. than you wanted, but hopefully it helps and answers your question.
2007-01-27 11:30:26 · answer #1 · answered by homerispresident 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When braking, depress the clutch to disengage the transmission, and apply the brakes. Don't let your brakes fight the power of the engine and transmission. And don't bother to downshift through all the gears. (Ok, try it once or twice, but then quit.) Downshifting puts more wear on the clutch plate, wearing it out a lot sooner. Wearing out brakes is *much* cheaper than having to replace a clutch.
Whenever you are waiting at a traffic light, move the transmission to neutral and release the clutch. Keeping the clutch 'in' puts extra wear on the clutch release (or throwout) bearing, so try to be easy on your clutch so you can maximize its life before replacement
Good luck.
2007-01-27 17:48:27 · answer #2 · answered by Tom-SJ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can just put both feet in. There are several ways to do this.
My own technique is to hit the brakes with your foot off the clutch, then step on the clutch when the engine RPM drops to around 1,000 - 1,500. There aren't many right or wrong answers - the only "wrong answer" is if you let off the clutch too late and the engine stalls. If it stalls, step on the clutch sooner next time.
2007-01-28 07:38:27 · answer #3 · answered by Mad Scientist Matt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually you want to break with the clutch in.
As you are slowing down from going fast, you may want to shift down one gear at a time and let the car help slow you down without the breaks.
However, if you are coming to a complete stop you either need to put in the clutch and shift to neutral before stopping or hold the clutch in while breaking. You will need to shift to first before you can take off again if you come to a complete stop.
Good luck!
2007-01-27 11:03:55 · answer #4 · answered by Adam the Engineer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When slowing down, downshift and brake normally. When you are about to come to a complete stop, push the clutch in and brake. The reason you are stalling is because you aren't pushing the clutch in before you stop.
2007-01-27 10:57:07 · answer #5 · answered by Mark 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can slow down some without depressing the clutch. You may have to down shift if you slow down more than the selected gear will handle. If it's confusing for you than just use the clutch every time. You'll get the hang of it soon...... Have fun
2007-01-27 23:15:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋