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Originally Posted by Surprise

Vikram, how one will lose control by depressing hte clutch at higher speeds. I knew thats not advisable and that the precise reason why I had raised here, but wanted to know the real impact so that I get out of that quickly

Simple, if you de-clutch at high speeds and are coasting and one of your wheels hit an undulation, it will have feedback on your steering and wheels. one can correct the steering, but relying only on the brakes alone to reduce one's speed may not be productive at all times as the chances of locking the air borne wheel is very high and very easy!, leading to disaster!

cheers

[furobiker]

Never go neutral downhill! Its dangerous. And while driving on a straight road, its no harm if you go neutral but from a very safe distance. A little miscalculation and you go bang in the car standing in front!

[Thad E Ginathom]

And while driving on a straight road, its no harm if you go neutral

Most of us would disagree. I winder if you have read all this thread before commenting?

[snaronikar]

Originally Posted by furobiker

Never go neutral downhill! Its dangerous. And while driving on a straight road, its no harm if you go neutral but from a very safe distance. A little miscalculation and you go bang in the car standing in front!

Going in neutral is never recommended whether uphill, downhill or on flat road. The brakes tends to get locked after you pump it 2~3 times then what will you do? Again pump the clutch, put the vehicle in some gear and again shift to neutral?

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by snaronikar

Going in neutral is never recommended whether uphill, downhill or on flat road. The brakes tends to get locked after you pump it 2~3 times then what will you do?

Would you please explain how this happens!
I do agree that going in neutral (coasting) is not recommended, but how/why would the brakes lock up?

[jassi]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Would you please explain how this happens!
I do agree that going in neutral (coasting) is not recommended, but how/why would the brakes lock up?

i think we are getting confused between coasting in neutral vs coasting with the ignition off

[Ravveendrra]

I will not repeat the good advice given by the other members that one should shift down progressively, thereby using the engine braking effectively and keeping the engine power on tap in case you need to speed up suddenly in order to get out of a sticky situation.

I did notice from some of the posts that, people coast in neuteral / with clutch depressed in the mistaken belief that it increases FE. Nothing can be farther from the truth.

The maximum FE is obtained when you lift your right foot off the accelarator and let the car slow down in gear. This is because of the engine overrun cut off mechanisms in place in most cars. This means that the amount of fuel supplied to the engine is reduced to the bare minimum when the engine is being used for braking. THe engine consumes more fuel when idling as compared to when it is in overrun. (Some user manuals that come with the cars describe this very well).

[Perakath]

OT: People who regularly coast probably also don't bother with the handbrake at traffic signals or otherwise. 90% of the cars at any given traffic signal will likely have their brake lights glowing as the driver stands on the brake pedal for the duration of the red signal, instead of securing the car with the handbrake before releasing the brake pedal, shifting into neutral, and releasing the clutch pedal. It's simply a matter of good driving style, which always prepares for unexpected eventualities. The reason so many people practise coasting and non-use of the handbrake (and find arguments to support their practice) is, IMHO, simply because it's possible to-- in the same manner that it's possible to eat nothing but junk food for a year. But just as it's safer to eat healthily, so it's safer to be in control of the car at all times, which means no coasting and handbrake use.

Such elementary lessons in road driving style really should be part of our driving instruction and testing scheme in India.

[anandtheleo]

Originally Posted by Perakath

OT: People who regularly coast probably also don't bother with the handbrake at traffic signals or otherwise.

Hi,

I agree with you on the usage of the hand brake, but only when not standing first in the signal, with nobody behind you. When the hand brake is engaged the brake lights don't come on. I got banged from behind once just because the moron coming from behind thought I had not stopped. the guy thought no brake lights=not waiting in the signal.

At least with my pedal on the brakes he would seen my brake lights and would have stopped.

[Perakath]

Sigh. Such people should be quietly taken and deposited in Bermuda or some other place where they won't be allowed to drive.

Thanks for the tip, though. I'll watch out for that in future-- perhaps flashing the brake lights once or twice would do the trick.

Hi . i am new to car driving, when i want to stop the car, which one should be applied first,clutch or brake,Also if i need to stop the car all of a sudden, is it brake or clutch first?
Please respond and it would be great if anyone could provide me details about Fundamentals/basics of clutch, brake.. like engine braking, disengagement , etc


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[Thad E Ginathom]

Glen, you can get lots of answers here, but, respectfully, if you need to ask that question then you would be doing yourself a favour by getting help from a good pro instructor.

There's 175 posts of discussion in this thread the mods have moved your post to, but briefly...

Brake first always and do not depress the clutch until just before you stop (unless, of course, you are stopping with plenty of time, and changing down is part of your plan --- but let go the clutch afterwards.

This is my Emergency Stop formula. Others may criticize it from the technical standpoint, but when a pedestrian suddenly appears in front of your car you don;t need to think about more than one thing:

Stand on the break.

Forget about the clutch. Let the car stall.

Do not use any foot apart from right foot on brake

That way, you get the engine to help stop the car right to the very last moment.

.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

That way, you get the engine to help stop the car right to the very last moment.

Perfect!! In an emergency, there is ONLY the brake pedal! The rest can take a hike!

[ImmortalZ]

Brake and then clutch as the engine starts protesting. Smoothest way to do it, using engine braking to the maximum. In an emergency of course, stand on the brake and concentrate on avoiding the obstacle and/or minimizing damage.

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Brake first always and do not depress the clutch until just before you stop (unless, of course, you are stopping with plenty of time, and changing down is part of your plan --- but let go the clutch afterwards.

.

Thanks Thad , this is what my Dad was also insisting on , whereas my driving school trainer told me Clutch and then Break and my Dad went wild he says how the hell did he teach you like this so I asked this question , You reply to my query definately has helped me