How to Brake With a Stick Shift
- 1). Remove your foot from the gas pedal.
- 2). Place your foot on the brake pedal. Gently start tapping your brake to slow down the vehicle.
- 3). Downshift your gears as your speed continues to decrease. Generally, you can downshift to fourth gear when your speed drops less than 65 mph, third gear when less than 35 mph, second gear when less than 25 mph and first gear when less than 15 mph. This protocol will vary by vehicle.
- 4). Avoid "riding the clutch" while you are downshifting gears. Once you shift gears, remove your foot from the clutch until it is time to shift again.
- 5). Place your gear in the "Neutral" position when your speed is under 10 mph. Continue to press the brake pedal until your vehicle comes to a complete stop.
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