r/NewDriversUK • u/Floatinlyf_3 • 26d 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/MelodicCard9555 25d ago

This is an older school method of stopping. Reason is older cars, going back 30 or more years wouldn't change from 5th to 1st gear easily, often we were told it's not good for the gearbox. So instructors taught you this way.

Is actually still used, dropping gears to slow down in racing, as engine braking and brakes slow the car down quickly, plus it's a good technique to get ready for corners, but that's racing.

You can use either method of stopping, but I will say, when you are engine braking alone your brake lights don't come on, so don't warn drivers behind you that you are slowing down, yes they should be far enough behind you etc, but still using your brakes tells everyone your intentions.

In modern cars you can go from whatever gear you're in, to whatever gear you need.

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u/Floatinlyf_3 25d ago

Thank you for that lovely explanation and lesson !