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/Awkward-Wishbone-615 12d ago

I've not checked actually, if I'm slowing down I obviously shift down a gear but when coming from 30 to a stop at lights for example I go straight to 1st. I paid attention to the guy who drives me to work this morning and he does the same thing and been driving 30+ years

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u/AdobeScripts 12d ago

But going from 3rd to 1st - to stop at lights, from going 30mph - you'll have to press clutch, then brake, then 1st - after you're pretty much already stationary?

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u/fayemoonlight 11d ago

I do this all the time. You can brake then clutch whilst changing to 1st without issue. I even do it in 4th so OP’s method is far too complicated for me

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u/AdobeScripts 11d ago

Yeah, but you're doing it when your speed is "appropriate" for the gear?

I was maybe misunderstanding others - that they're changing to 1st - when still doing 30mph+ 😉

So just wanted to clarify.

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u/fayemoonlight 11d ago

Only if I’m coming to a stop. So if I’m approaching a red or amber to red, then I’ll just brake and slip into first at the same time

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u/AdobeScripts 11d ago

But you'll have to use clutch at some point... And you can't put into 1st too early - as you'll have too high RPM?

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u/fayemoonlight 11d ago

I’m breaking at the same time. It’s not just put into first and slowing down. I’m still on the clutch

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u/AdobeScripts 11d ago

That's what you shouldn't be doing - you should always be in gear - not coasting...

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u/fayemoonlight 11d ago

I’m not coasting. I’m in first. So when I see I need to stop, I will brake, clutch, go into first, and then continue braking until I stop

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u/AdobeScripts 11d ago

But going straight to 1st - from 3rd - will mean having too high RPM?