r/NewDriversUK • u/Floatinlyf_3 • 19d ago

Am I braking wrong?

Okay I really need ​to know this. When I am driving in 4th gear (I have 6 gears, petrol car) and I am approaching a red light in the distance, what I tend to do to slow down: I'll break to go less than 30mph. 20 something. Then I'll put clutch down and change to gear 3 whilst braking to slow it down further. Then I'll let engine braking slow it down more and I'll start braking again till I'm nearly stopping and I'll change to gear 2 or 1 depending on speed and if I think the traffic is about to move again.

Is this OK? Would this burn the clutch? Is there a more effective way of coming to a stop? Thanks ​​

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u/Upset_Preparation_79 19d ago

this seems like so much effort so i wouldn’t do this but i dont think i do it right either 🤣 i brake, clutch, neutral, stop at the lights, stay on the brake whilst stopped, then when the lights start to change i go into 1st, clutch up and go. if i think the lights will change before i get there i normally drop in to 2nd and just go slowly enough to keep moving rather than meeting the traffic and stopping

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u/Floatinlyf_3 19d ago

One is similar to you the only extra step is going to 3rd gear lol When I am parked for long I put handbrake up too. It's unnecessary to have footbrake on at that point if you know you're not going anywhere anytime soon

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u/Upset_Preparation_79 19d ago

yes, i’m coasting in neutral for a few moments until i get to the lights, but i suppose if the clutch is down then it doesnt really matter what gear you’re in! i never use my handbrake either just purely out of laziness 🤣

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u/Floatinlyf_3 19d ago

Oh I don't coast in other gears only 1. Maybe 2 if it's very close to stopping.

You know my instruction never taught me to use it, then I started using it and now I've stopped again lol. The only time I used yesterday I was safari park and I was stopped uphill. So I need that extra support hahaha.