Changing Down The Gears When Slowing Down.

[Tilly2]

At the risk of being ridiculed, I need to know how to stop my car, or slow down my car without changing down the gears 4,3,2,1.
I was taught to do this when I learned to drive many moons ago.

I do a lot of town driving and I am finding that constantly depressing the clutch is actually taking its toll on my left knee. (as well as the Badminton!)

I really don't know what to do with the gears, if I just put my foot on the brake. Obviously, I don't mean an emergency stop. I mean approaching a junction and stopping without going down the gears.

What do you do with the clutch and the gears?

(Try not to take the mikey, please!)

[Baldric]

Mrs B had same problem, now drives an automatic, problem solved!

[bookbinder]

I think that going down through the gears to slow down is regarded as a bit olde worlde now. The current thinking is to use brakes only, as it's cheaper and easier to replace brake shoes than it is to replace a clutch.

[tonyav]

Going down the gears is what you are supposed to do, It's what I always do to slow down or stop.
Yilly have you considered buying a car with an automatic gearbox.

[bookbinder]

...or brake pads!

[-Talbot-]

You could reduce the amount of times you depress the clutch by missing out 3rd gear ....go from 4th straight to 2nd.

[SirOracle]

Apply your footbreak and when you are almost stationary engage your clutch and put your gear stick into neutral. If necessary then engage your handbreak.

[Tilly2]

Well, thanks so far but I can't afford to change the car at the moment. I bought this one, brand new, in October last year. It will be a few years before I change it unless my knee gives way completely.

[gingejbee]

^^^footBRAKE, handBRAKE....

[Bathsheba]

I've had automatics for last 20+ years, but only because I inherited my late Dad's,....)he just had the one leg ;) ), but I can remember I used to go down through the gears as you describe Tilly, until I was told that brake pads were cheaper to replace than gearboxes ;) No idea if this still applies now that cars are more like computers these days.....

x x

[Peaspeculiars]

Agree with Balric Tilly, my friend has a really bad knee and an automatic has made a big difference.

I'm a 'coaster' as my driving instructor would describe it sagely. so probably not the best to advise. I do use gears to slow down rather than brake when coming into a 30 zone from a 60 per say, but I always coast with clutch down & using brake rather than changing down when coming to a full stop. Shame on me, I know.. I know...

[melv16]

The modern method of driving is to use the brakes & not the gears to slow down. Brake parts are much cheaper to replace than the gearbox.

[Bathsheba]

blimey!...where did all those answers come from? ^^^^ x x

[ubasses]

I have been reading the same literature as Bookbinder. It is now advocated that using the brakes is the correct thing to do. Must admit I find it hard after all these years, but I am not adverse to going from 4th to 2nd in one move.
The other 'modern' advice I cannot adapt to,is pulling on the the handbreak without depressing the little button. Apparently going through all those ratchets is good for the handbrake, and is actually in the handbook.

[Peaspeculiars]

'As my driving instructor *would* have said' - Blimey, I've been driving for nearly 20 years, not just learning ;-)

[ToraToraTora]

you don't have to go down through the gears, just brake down to the speed needed and change once into the gear you need. eg in 4th you can brake down to 0 and press the clutch before it stalls and put it in neutral or first. The best thing though is to get an automatic, much better for driving round town

[ukbod2015]

i have a semi auto - auto if you want or paddles on the steering wheel if you choose - no clutch

[Tilly2]

So, coming down through the gears can be short cut by going from 4th to 2nd. I didn't know that.

If I brake, I depress the clutch and go into neutral.

I need to have a go at both of those methods. Thank you all.

[maggiebee]

Was taught to go down the gears when slowing down/stopping. Old habits die hard and I still do it.

[Tizzi24]

I drive as I was taught, by going through the gears.

[Old_Geezer]

IMO ideally you should match the gear to the speed you are going, but not use them to slow down; they aren't designed for that. In practice I either break and use the clutch to avoid straining the gears when appropriate, or if slowing down over a longer distance merely ease off the accelerator rather than brake. Practical solution.