Braking

Monkey09

I've just started to drive in the last few weeks but i'm having a little trouble breaking. Most of the time i just kind of jolt to a stop.
Is this because i'm only in first gear? My instructor has told me that i just need to press the brake lightly. But when practicing, i can't seem to just stop smoothly..
Secondly, sometimes i have to use the clutch and then the brakes. Is this supposed to be done when i want to come to a complete stop, at a round-about maybe?

DriveSkill

Hi,

The key to getting a smooth stop is to control the pressure on the brake pedal - you should ease on the pedal to start to slow down, then a little more pressure to take most of the speed off and finally start to ease back again just as the car is coming to a stop but without taking your foot off completely.

The last part is really the main element in coming to a smooth stop, you should not have heavy pressure on the brake pedal at the end or you will jolt to a stop. Practice in a quiet area where you have a long straight road, pick a point where you want to stop at (e.g. a telephone pole, sign etc) but where there is no danger if you overshoot it. Practice easing on the pedal as you approach, then a bit more pressure and then finally ease back but dont come off it fully. Try do this from perhaps 30-40km/hr - you need to have a little speed and be in at least 2nd gear but preferably 3rd or 4th.

In first gear once you come off the accelerator the car will lose momentum very quickly so only gently braking is required to come to a complete stop.

As for the final part of the question, you should never really have the clutch in before the brake when coming to a roundabout or any other stop for that matter. Brake first and then put the clutch in about 2-3 car lengths before you actually stop. In normal driving, if you are finding that the car is struggling as you approach a roundabout for example then you are likely in too high a gear for the speed which is often caused by excessive braking too early. There is one exception which is if you are going REALLY slow in first gear you may need to use the brake and clutch pretty much at the same time as you are stopping.

BTW all this advice is in relation to normal stopping - in the case of an emergency get on the brakes as quickly and as hard as necessary and dont worry about the clutch.

ronkmonster

You need to brake lightly first until just before car is going to stall (it'll start jumping a bit) then clutch.

Is the instructors car fairly new? Newer cars can have very sensitive brakes and only need to pressed lightly. You might be starting to brake to late if you feel you need to jam on brake.

I'm giving few lessons to friend now and she is doing the same thing so it's normal while you are starting off.

Gavin "shels"

Monkey09 wrote: »

Secondly, sometimes i have to use the clutch and then the brakes. Is this supposed to be done when i want to come to a complete stop, at a round-about maybe?

That's called coasting, done it once myself during a lesson the other week, you have no control of the car so not recommended.

DrivingTestTips: Brian

Go by what DriveSkill has said as it is detailed enough.

Just remember you are learning and we all done the same thing as you. Braking takes practice.

**Timbuk2**

If you are only driving around in 1st gear, then it's quite normal to use the brakes and clutch together. By that I mean is that your speed is probably so low that by the time you press the brakes, the car will start to labour so you press the clutch very soon after, if not at the same time.

However, if you are travelling at any sort of speed higher than crawling around in 1st gear, then it's always brake first and then clutch about 3 car lengths before you stop. It seems counter-intuitive at first, but you will get used to it very quickly.

The jolty-braking thing is very common and you will get the hang of that with practice - the key is to ease a bit off the brake before you come to a stop, but you don't really need to think about that - you will get it naturally.

Saruman

I am concerned that the OP has to resort to asking random nutters on the internet... why can't your instructor do their job and teach you how to use the brakes?

**Timbuk2**

Saruman wrote: »

I am concerned that the OP has to resort to asking random nutters on the internet... why can't your instructor do their job and teach you how to use the brakes?

If you read his post he has asked his instructor! The instructor can show him how to use the brakes but it doesn't mean he will get it right first time - it's just something that has to be practiced. An instructor doesn't tell you how much to turn the wheel when taking a corner but the learner gets a feel for that quite quickly - just as he/she will when it comes to braking.

I've asked a lot sillier questions on this forum. There is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to learning to drive (or so I keep telling myself :P)

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Saruman

Hey sorry, I simply meant that the instructor should be able to explain how to use the brakes in such a way that the OP is comfortable and does not need to ask the question in the first place. That is the instructors job after all.

The random nutter comment was clearly not meant litterally since I am included due to my response.

No offense was meant.

challengemaster

DriveSkill wrote: »

BTW all this advice is in relation to normal stopping - in the case of an emergency get on the brakes as quickly and as hard as necessary and dont worry about the clutch.

Actually, I wouldn't say that too fast.... braking hard with no clutch, you'll kill the engine which could kill the power steering (I know it happens with my car). Brakes are fine and all, but without being able to steer as well/avoid whatever it is, you're still in hot water.

J_R

challengemaster wrote: »

Actually, I wouldn't say that too fast.... braking hard with no clutch, you'll kill the engine which could kill the power steering (I know it happens with my car). Brakes are fine and all, but without being able to steer as well/avoid whatever it is, you're still in hot water.

+1 You may also lose your braking. :eek: Lot of modern cars use a vacuum pump (run off the engine) to assist braking, steering etc.

Modern cars, for an emergency stop, slam on the brakes then when you realise they are working, follow with the clutch.

Keano!

To come to a nice stop, I always put in the clutch and then just ease the brake in. Never thought braking was much of an issue while learning though. I'm only a few weeks into my lessons though....

cosmic

Keano! wrote: »

To come to a nice stop, I always put in the clutch and then just ease the brake in. Never thought braking was much of an issue while learning though. I'm only a few weeks into my lessons though....

No no no, this is not a good idea! Brake first!

J_R

J_R wrote: »

+1 You may also lose your braking. :eek: Lot of modern cars use a vacuum pump (run off the engine) to assist braking, steering etc.

Could be wrong about above as the wheels would be turning the engine thus maintaing the ancillaries.

However never intend to find out, no big deal in pressing the clutch as long as most of the speed has been killed by the brakes.

ADIDriving

A lot has already been written on this but, here is a simple idea that may help. Pressing on the brake to stop is like pouring a drink. Start with a small amount, increase more and more, then ease off to finish smoothly.
As regards the emergency stop. You do want to get to the brakes quickly but should add the clutch before the engine stalls. That said braking is 90% of the battle.