When slowing down on a manual transmission , which should be applied first.. Clutch or break... Car gurus plz come here

Clutch na to change gears na, u break and den clutch..

Depending on why you are slowing down...

Buy automatic and save yourself from stress.

Clutch down, brake then drop the gear

Clutch and brake to slow down
Clutch and brake to stop
Clutch and brake for bad road
As my driving instructor taught me to sing it that year

Me love manual cars abeg. Wetin be automatic?

clutch first to disengage the engine from the internal transmission, then brakes.its like the clutch does the work of the torque converter

Without clutch,it would turn off and Jerk

If on high speed, brake gradually then clutch to downshift or disengage.

If on low speed/bad road or u want to come to a complete stop, Clutch then shift to 1 or disengage gear then brake

brake first, until car is almost at a stand still then you apply your clutch and downshift or neutral your gear.

while driving a manual car, it should never jerk and stall without the clutch unless your tyres are almost at a standstill. if yours jerks while in slow-down mode then check your clutch plate for damage.

always clutching down for whenever you apply your brakes wears down your clutch plate thereby making it require a replacement earlier than normal. alslo you should not be applying your clutch while your car is in motion as it damages your clutch too. you won't feel it is being damaged because you wont be hearing awkward sounds but believe you me the damage is being done.

oyibo dey call am 'riding the clutch' and is a behaviour exhibited by amateur manual geared car drivers.

Divoc19:
Clutch and brake to slow down
Clutch and brake to stop
Clutch and brake for bad road
As my driving instructor taught me to sing it that year

Me love manual cars abeg. Wetin be automatic?

Sorry, he taught you wrong.

Your clutch will not last with that much clutching.

You actually don't need to clutch every time you are slowing down especially with modern cars.

What you need to avoid is braking with gear beyond 1000rpm. It means you brake till the rpm drops to 1000rpm then you clutch and downshift 1 gear down. Remember that clutching and holding is bad so anytime you clutch you need to change gear or put it to neutral then release the clutch.

If you are clutching on a downhill, both your brakes and clutch will suffer. If you are familiar with engine braking, you will not encourage anyone to clutch and brake.

Then, you're driving your manual like an automatic. Na so so off and jerks you go dey get.

There's no manual without clutch.

adanny01:


Sorry, he taught you wrong.

Your clutch will not last with that much clutching.

You actually don't need to clutch every time you are slowing down especially with modern cars.

What you need to avoid is braking with gear beyond 1000rpm. It means you brake till the rpm drops to 1000rpm then you clutch and downshift 1 gear down. Remember that clutching and holding is bad so anytime you clutch you need to change gear or put it to neutral then release the clutch.

If you are clutching on a downhill, both your brakes and clutch will suffer. If you are familiar with engine braking, you will not encourage anyone to clutch and brake.

bamirotola:
When slowing down on a manual transmission , which should be applied first.. Clutch or break... Car gurus plz come here

Break to slow down first sir and that’s it’s function
Clutch is to change gear and also to remove power from engine controlling the wheels.
Using clutch to slow down first is still okay but just use Brake nah

Divoc19:
Then, you're driving your manual like an automatic. Na so so off and jerks you go dey get.

There's no manual without clutch.

The car starts jerk when the car is in gear and the rpm drops too low usually around 600rpm. That too low rpm is an rpm that the engine cannot produce enough power to provide the required torque to keep the car in motion.

No one who properly knows how to drive a car will let it jerk. It is either the driver engaged a too low gear or is paying attention to the rpm which is what driving a manual car entails. Driving a manual entails monitoring more than just clutch and gear. You have to monitor the rpm and speed to select the right gear. A clutch is never meant to be press and held.

I am telling you for a fact that your teacher taught you wrong. He taught you using easiest way to teach someone to drive a manual but not the proper way.

If you know what "engine braking" is, you will know that once you clutch, there is no engine braking. So if you dont even know what engine braking is you are yet to know how to properly drive a manual.

Well...I've been driving for over 10 years.
I personally prefer manual to automatic anytime.

adanny01:


The car starts jerk when the car is in gear and the rpm drops too low usually around 600rpm. That too low rpm is an rpm that the engine cannot produce enough power to provide the required torque to keep the car in motion.

No one who properly knows how to drive a car will let it jerk. It is either the driver engaged a too low gear or is paying attention to the rpm which is what driving a manual car entails. Driving a manual entails monitoring more than just clutch and gear. You have to monitor the rpm and speed to select the right gear. A clutch is never meant to be press and held.

I am telling you for a fact that your teacher taught you wrong. He taught you using easiest way to teach someone to drive a manual but not the proper way.

If you know what "engine braking" is, you will know that once you clutch, there is no engine braking. So if you dont even know what engine braking is you are yet to know how to properly drive a manual.

Divoc19:
Well...I've been driving for over 10 years.
I personally prefer manual to automatic anytime.

I have been driving for about 23yrs now and a manual for more nearly all of those yrs. Infact I sold the last manual in my family not up to 2yrs ago https://www.nairaland.com/5471836/naija-used-1998-mazda-323f#83129591

nymphomaniac:
If on high speed, brake gradually then clutch to downshift or disengage.

If on low speed/bad road or u want to come to a complete stop, Clutch then shift to 1 or disengage gear then brake

The bolded makes no sense. when you have clutched the engine is already disengaged from the gear, so you can brake. after braking do you shift to 1. whats the sense in clutching then shifting to 1 before braking ? makes absolutely no sense

also that your high speed protocol is wrong too. you will destroy your gear. in all things CLUTCH FIRST.

adanny01:


Sorry, he taught you wrong.

Your clutch will not last with that much clutching.

You actually don't need to clutch every time you are slowing down especially with modern cars.

What you need to avoid is braking with gear beyond 1000rpm. It means you brake till the rpm drops to 1000rpm then you clutch and downshift 1 gear down. Remember that clutching and holding is bad so anytime you clutch you need to change gear or put it to neutral then release the clutch.

If you are clutching on a downhill, both your brakes and clutch will suffer. If you are familiar with engine braking, you will not encourage anyone to clutch and brake.

brother you are wrong. the clutch is the go to first. in all speed alterations you have to clutch first so as to disenagage the engine from the gear. this will save you from destroying your gear-transmission over time.

see when you clutch first, the car is just free rolling with no gear involvement and then you can brake easily without destroying your gear system. and then when you get to the desired speed, then you can change the gear and then re-engage the engine and gear by releasing the clutch. this is how you drive effectively without getting expensive gear repair jobs down the line

HEAVEN4444:
brother you are wrong. the clutch is the go to first. in all speed alterations you have to clutch first so as to disenagage the engine from the gear. this will save you from destroying your gear-transmission over time.

see when you clutch first, the car is just free rolling with no gear involvement and then you can brake easily without destroying your gear system. and then when you get to the desired speed, then you can change the gear and then re-engage the engine and gear by releasing the clutch. this is how you drive effectively without getting expensive gear repair jobs down the line

What ever i told her applies to you.

Do you know that in some countries, it is illegal to coast? It is also illegal in other countries to park your car and leave it in Neutral? You park the car, engage the handbrake, put the gear in 1st or reverse and turn your steering towards the curb.

Do you know that when you free roll, you use more braking power to stop or slowdown meaning you wear your brakes faster and also your rotors?

Do you know that Automatic transmissions in a "free rolling" downhill downshifts to an appropriate high gear for added engine braking. Are the designers mistaken to have programmed such action? Does that destroy the transmission or engine? Do you know that Hybrids uses the engine braking to generate power that charge the batteries?

Chairman, you simply need to do your research cause you don't seem to know.

Do this test on a 2003 above Honda (i am sure), coast downhill at 100kmph with no throttle, you will notice that you are gaining speed, press your brakes once and release, you will notice that the gear down shifts immediately to help you with more braking force. Leave it to continue coasting, you will see that the car is now decelerating without applying brakes. That will be pure engine braking and it is not harmful to transmission or engine.

Dont forget that it is based on the manual transmission that the automatic was developed so reverse the case and nothing gives. Both manual and auto trans work with the same basic principles.

Whatever you know, don't assume it is the best or thing until you have the complete information.

adanny01:


What ever i told her applies to you.

Do you know that in some countries, it is illegal to coast? It is also illegal in other countries to park your car and leave it in Neutral? You park the car, engage the handbrake, put the gear in 1st or reverse and turn your steering towards the curb.

Do you know that when you free roll, you use more braking power to stop or slowdown meaning you wear your brakes faster and also your rotors?

Do you know that Automatic transmissions in a "free rolling" downhill downshifts to an appropriate high gear for added engine braking. Are the designers mistaken to have programmed such action? Does that destroy the transmission or engine? Do you know that Hybrids uses the engine braking to generate power that charge the batteries?

Chairman, you simply need to do your research cause you don't seem to know.

Do this test on a 2003 above Honda (i am sure), coast downhill at 100kmph with no throttle, you will notice that you are gaining speed, press your brakes once and release, you will notice that the gear down shifts immediately to help you with more braking force. Leave it to continue coasting, you will see that the car is now decelerating without applying brakes. That will be pure engine braking and it is not harmful to transmission or engine.

Dont forget that it is based on the manual transmission that the automatic was developed so reverse the case and nothing gives. Both manual and auto trans work with the same basic principles.

Whatever you know, don't assume it is the best or thing until you have the complete information.

brother you have it all wrong. but hey, to each his own. hopefully you dont damage your gear with this your way of driving

HEAVEN4444:
brother you have it all wrong. but hey, to each his own. hopefully you dont damage your gear with this your way of driving

I have been driving since the late 90's and have never replaced a transmission on the 3 manuals i have used.

Just google it.

adanny01:


I have been driving since the late 90's and have never replaced a transmission on the 3 manuals i have used.

so you have used 3 manuals since 1990s ? thats bad record. i was hoping you would say you were still using the same one car manual since 1990 then you will have a case. as it stands its a chance you destroyed 2 gears already or why would you sell a perfectly functioning car twice ?

HEAVEN4444:
so you have used 3 manuals since 1990s ? thats bad record. i was hoping you would say you were still using the same one car manual since 1990 then you will have a case. as it stands its a chance you destroyed 2 gears already or why would you sell a perfectly functioning car twice ?

The first car, I sold it 2010, we had it for 14 good years without damaging the transmission. My father and I were the regular drivers with the same driving style but never had a transmission issue. Before that, my dad drove his manual brand new VW Bug from 1979 till 1996, 17yrs, without a damaged transmission. I am sure you have never used same car for that long to even know for sure what you are talking about is true. What you are talking about is a myth, else bring facts or research corroborating information so i can believe you.

One thing for sure with a manual, the more you clutch the more you change your clutch plates, brake pad and brake disc. Its your choice, your car.

If i have a manual today, anyone who drives that way will not get to drive my car.

When you insist on unsubstantiated myths like this, I am sure you would have since thrown your thermostat to the gutter and connected your cooling fan direct while subscribing to anything but manufacturer's specifications.

adanny01:


The first car, I sold it 2010, we had it for 14 good years without damaging the transmission. My father and I were the regular drivers with the same driving style but never had a transmission issue. Before that, my dad drove his manual brand new VW Bug from 1979 till 1996, 17yrs, without a damaged transmission. I am sure you have never used same car for that long to even know for sure what you are talking about is true. What you are talking about is a myth, else bring facts or research corroborating information so i can believe you.

One thing for sure with a manual, the more you clutch the more you change your clutch plates, brake pad and brake disc. Its your choice, your car.

If i have a manual today, anyone who drives that way will not get to drive my car.

When you insist on unsubstantiated myths like this, I am sure you would have since thrown your thermostat to the gutter and connected your cooling fan direct while subscribing to anything but manufacturer's specifications.

its a surprise you and your dad have not damaged your car with your driving method. try to read this link bro

https://www.cartoq.com/braking-tips-clutch-brake/

HEAVEN4444:
its a surprise you and your dad have not damaged your car with your driving method. try to read this link bro

https://www.cartoq.com/braking-tips-clutch-brake/

Very good. You posted a link to a write up you probably didn't read. Let me highlight

A typical challenge those learning driving face relates to braking: should they first use clutch or the brake. In our braking tips we will simply the issue in context of situations you are likely to face but first, you would need to know what does a clutch do.

Clutch simply disengages the gearbox from the wheels which helps the wheels to move freely and independently of the engine. If you want to stop and do not use your clutch, then your car will eventually stall and come to a halt. This will cause damage to your engine, clutch and transmission. The car stalls because the brakes are trying to stop the car while the engine is trying to propel the car ahead. As you are not accelerating, the revs of the engine keep falling and eventually the engine dies and the car stalls. So, how do you properly brake? Here are four ‘braking situations’ and tips to handle them:

At low speeds: First clutch then brake

You have to press the clutch before the brake pedal if your speed is less than the lowest speed of the gear you are in. You can find the lowest speed of the gear by simple releasing the clutch and not using the accelerator. The speed that you can achieve without the use of the accelerator is the lowest speed of the gear. This is usually done in bumper to bumper traffic as your speed is usually less than the lowest speed of the 1st gear.

For instance, you know that the lowest speed of your car’s first gear is 10 kmph and you are going at 8 kmph. As your speed is already less than the lowest speed of the gear, your car will struggle and stall, when you brake. To avoid this, you would first need to press the clutch so that the engine is not dependent on the transmission and then start braking.

Sudden Braking: Clutch and brake together

Clutch and brake together are usually used in emergencies as it is the most effective way to brake without damaging the mechanical parts of the car. If someone or something comes in front of your car you would have to press the clutch and brake together, this will ensure that you do not accelerate by accident as your gearbox will be disengaged from the wheels. And you will be able to stop with the full braking power of your car.

At High Speeds: First brake then clutch

Brake is first used when you are travelling at decent speed and you need to slow down a bit. Now, if you decide to stop or the speed of your car reaches the lowest speed of the gear then you would need to use the brakes so that your car does not stall.

When you will start braking, your speed will start falling and once it goes below 15kmph, your start will start struggling and eventually stall. To avoid this, you would need to press the clutch once you hit the lower speed of the gear or when you feel the engine is about to struggle.

Temporary slowdown: Only Brake

You only need to use the brake if you want to slow down or if there is an obstacle in your way and you want to turn slightly away from it. As you are above the lowest speed of the gear, you can just decrease your speed slightly and the continue.

For instance, this is mostly done on highways when there is a car in front of you. If you are going at 100kmph, in fifth gear and you need to slow down. You would just press the brake, your speed will decrease but you will not hit the lowest speed of the gear so you do not need to use the clutch.

So there you are. Just remember the lowest speed of the gear varies from car to car. This would help you understand in which circumstance you should use your brake first or your clutch first. Remember to keep practicing and slowly you would not need to think about it and would be able to brake perfectly.

Out of the four scenarios above, only one says clutch before braking and with a condition that you are at the lowest speed of your gear. You clutch because you car will stall if the speed drops lower especially if at first gear.

Even when stopping, you slow down to the lowest speed of your current gear the clutch and put 1st gear if you will continue or neutral if your are stopping for a while. Meanwhile anytime you press the clutch you either change gear or put it to neutral and release it.

This means in majority of driving situations you brake before clutch and in only one condition you clutch before braking and that is only at low speeds usually traffic situations.

adanny01:


The first car, I sold it 2010, we had it for 14 good years without damaging the transmission. My father and I were the regular drivers with the same driving style but never had a transmission issue. Before that, my dad drove his manual brand new VW Bug from 1979 till 1996, 17yrs, without a damaged transmission. I am sure you have never used same car for that long to even know for sure what you are talking about is true. What you are talking about is a myth, else bring facts or research corroborating information so i can believe you.

One thing for sure with a manual, the more you clutch the more you change your clutch plates, brake pad and brake disc. Its your choice, your car.

If i have a manual today, anyone who drives that way will not get to drive my car.

When you insist on unsubstantiated myths like this, I am sure you would have since thrown your thermostat to the gutter and connected your cooling fan direct while subscribing to anything but manufacturer's specifications.

You get time to the shalaye oo, those folks don't understand what is engine braking, so the wouldn't understand what you are saying.

ksmart027:

You get time to the shalaye oo, those folks don't understand what is engine braking, so the wouldn't understand what you are saying.

I happen to have all the time today

adanny01:


Very good. You posted a link to a write up you probably didn't read. Let me highlight



Out of the four scenarios above, only one says clutch before braking and with a condition that you are at the lowest speed of your gear. You clutch because you car will stall if the speed drops lower especially if at first gear.

Even when stopping, you slow down to the lowest speed of your current gear the clutch and put 1st gear if you will continue or neutral if your are stopping for a while. Meanwhile anytime you press the clutch you either change gear or put it to neutral and release it.

This means in majority of driving situations you brake before clutch and in only one condition you clutch before braking and that is only at low speeds usually traffic situations.

nah you not reading between the lines brah. how many people can gauge what speed they have reduced to before finally downshifting apprapriately ? not many and so you are taxing the gear system. but to prevent you doing all that just disenage first by pressing clutch and then slow the car down to desired speed using brake and once you are at desired speed, then downshift approapriately and then re-engage by releasing clutch. it is the right thing to do. has always worked for me. and my gear-transmission system always functions brand new. but to each his own

bamirotola:
When slowing down on a manual transmission , which should be applied first.. Clutch or break... Car gurus plz come here

Brake first before clutch.
That is the golden rule 101 for braking.
Don't! I mean never should you get used to clutch before brake, rather get used to it the other way round.
In case of emergency, if a driver has already programmed his/her instinct to apply clutch first, he/she would instantly step on the clutch instead of the brake, before you know, it might be too late but if your instinct is used to apply brake first, even if you're not composed enough to quickly apply the clutch, worst thing is the car would jerk and turn off, but you already averted evil.

Cokahot:
Without clutch,it would turn off and Jerk

Not really. It all depends.
There's is a speed-limit high and low for each gear.
If you're on gear 4 @ about 100kmh but there's a need to apply some brake temporarily down to 70kmh, you don't need to apply clutch + brake in such a scenario. Just apply only brake. But if you're braking down to like 40kmh, then you can start thinking of clutching because that speed might be too low for gear 4 and so it would jerk.
You might not need to clutch for a brake speed @ 25kmh for gear 2.

In essence, you only need to clutch if you want to totally brake to a stop or you're going below the speed-limit low for the gear you're using at the moment.
Then, it also depends on the roughness and direction of slope or levelness of the road.
If the road is smooth and you're driving downhill, even with gear 5, you can break down very well without applying any clutch.

Divoc19:
Clutch and brake to slow down
Clutch and brake to stop
Clutch and brake for bad road
As my driving instructor taught me to sing it that year
Me love manual cars abeg. Wetin be automatic?

Your instructor needs to relearn to drive a manual car.
Avoid the use of clutch as much as possible, except when it is necessary.
Don't clutch to slow down until you get close to the jerking point for the gear you're using.
Don't clutch while driving.
Don't clutch indefinitely on bad roads, rather find a suitable gear like gear 2 that could work without clutching on such a road.

HEAVEN4444:
nah you not reading between the lines brah. how many people can gauge what speed they have reduced to before finally downshifting apprapriately ? not many and so you are taxing the gear system. but to prevent you doing all that just disenage first by pressing clutch and then slow the car down to desired speed using brake and once you are at desired speed, then downshift approapriately and then re-engage by releasing clutch. it is the right thing to do. has always worked for me. and my gear-transmission system always functions brand new. but to each his own

If anyone doesn't know how to read a speedometer, that person shouldn't be behind the steering wheel.

Desired speed again? Didn't you say how many people can gauge speed, what of desired speed, is it different?

By implication, you drive that way because you can't gauge speed, how is it the right thing to do? If you can't drive a manual correctly, just get an Auto. You are not the first. My father got old and doesn't want to touch a manual, i don't blame him, i got rid of it before it rots away.

Just give it up if you are not good at it.

adanny01:


If anyone doesn't know how to read a speedometer, that person shouldn't be behind the steering wheel.

Desired speed again? Didn't you say how many people can gauge speed, what of desired speed, is it different?

By implication, you drive that way because you can't gauge speed, how is it the right thing to do? If you can't drive a manual correctly, just get an Auto. You are not the first. My father got old and doesn't want to touch a manual, i don't blame him, i got rid of it before it rots away.

Just give it up if you are not good at it.

coming from the guy who started this topic on nairaland
URGENT! My 2003 Accord Transmission Just Stalled.
i think its safe to say that you have destroyed many gears and transmission with your weird way of driving

https://www.nairaland.com/2055196/urgent-2003-accord-transmission-just

HEAVEN4444:
its a surprise you and your dad have not damaged your car with your driving method. try to read this link bro

https://www.cartoq.com/braking-tips-clutch-brake/

Bro that guy is telling you the correct thing. On a manual car, to save your clutch, you brake first then as your RPM drops, you engage clutch and drop gears or put the gear on neutral.

Driving otherwise and you'd be changing clutch plates regularly. Imagine driving along a bad stretch of road at low gear and clutching intermittently. You'd burn out your clutch. The saving grace of most folk is that Manual transmissions are very solid and are more tolerant to bad driving.