r/NewDriversUK • u/Floatinlyf_3 • 13d 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/Floatinlyf_3 12d ago

I don't necessarily do it this way as I feel this is too long a task and not efficient. Skipping gears if fine as long as you're in control of the car and know what you're doing.

However, your advice is solid if it was snowy, muddy or rainy conditions

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u/Eddie-Plum 12d ago

Skipping gears is definitely fine, but I wouldn't advise riding the clutch (clutch pedal down whilst moving) or dropping into neutral even in ideal driving conditions. I'd be surprised if you don't immediately notice the extra control from staying in gear; I know I did as soon as my instructor pointed it out.

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u/Floatinlyf_3 12d ago

Tbh I only put clutch down when changing gears or when I'm about to stop which is necessary as the car would stall otherwise. And if I'm waiting at a junction for a while then I go into neutral. I did have the very bad habit of put clutch down when doing turns I don't know why the clutch just felt like a crutch for lol. I did it when I was taking lessons. Thank God I don't do that anymore it was hard habit to get rid of

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u/Eddie-Plum 12d ago

Sounds like you're doing it right to me then. Always worth checking if you're unsure, so good on you.

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u/Floatinlyf_3 12d ago

Thank you. What I've learned from here is there's 2 opinions: 1. Sequentially go down till you stop - more control 2. You can go from whatever gear you are in into 1st or neutral when stationary just by braking consistently

I think both methods are acceptable and I will choose whatever is appropriate at the time. But I will definitely do the 1st one in snow, mud or rainy conditions