If you correctly predict the development of the traffic situation, then this gives you time to brake at a great distance from the dangerous section of the road, using the service brake.
When the car is braking on a turn, the braking forces acting on the car are added to the centrifugal forces, which tend to push the car out of the trajectory. The traction forces of the front outer wheel are increased, while the other wheels are reduced, as a result of which the vehicle may skid heavily. Therefore, cornering should be avoided.
An effective means of reducing speed is service braking by the engine. The right foot is off the gas pedal, the traction force is small, the left foot does not press the clutch pedal, the clutch is engaged. In this case, the kinetic energy of the car is spent on friction in the engine and in the transmission. Friction forces create braking moments on the driving right and left wheels. These moments are equal to each other and exclude blocking of the wheels and skidding of the car. Therefore, this method of braking is safer and should be the main one in any traffic situations you predict. It prevents premature wear of tires, brakes, suspension, saves gasoline and makes driving enjoyable for you and your passengers. For this method of braking, gently release the pressure on the gas pedal.
When the gas pedal is suddenly released at high speed on roads with different friction coefficients of the left and right wheels (for example, the right wheels on a wet dirt roadside, on ice and on sand, and the left wheels on dry pavement) the car can skid.
If you need to brake more intensively, then you need to switch to a lower gear. For this you should:
- sharply depress the clutch pedal;
- put the gear lever in neutral position;
- quickly release the clutch pedal;
- lightly press the gas pedal;
- then sharply depress the clutch pedal;
- by sharp, but light pressure on the gear lever, shift to a lower gear;
- quickly but smoothly release the clutch;
- Keep your right foot on the gas pedal.
If the speed has not decreased enough, do the same, switching to an even lower gear. Practice this method of braking several times.
When driving on slippery and wet roads on slopes, it is advisable to use service braking in a combined way. The right foot is transferred from the gas pedal to the brake pedal and gently presses it. The left foot does not press the clutch pedal, it is on. This method should also be the main one in predicting traffic situations, since it has the same advantages as engine braking. It is especially effective when driving in third, fourth and fifth gears and with relatively little pressure on the brake pedal.
There are three more ways of braking: sharp, intermittent and stepped.
During sudden emergency braking, the vehicle's center of gravity moves forward. The amount of adhesion of the front wheels with the road becomes greater than the rear. Therefore, the rear wheels are more prone to skidding and skidding, and driving becomes more difficult. Skid braking on dry pavement increases the braking distance by 25%, and on slippery roads several times. Frequent use of emergency braking is a sign of poor traffic forecasting.
When braking hard, quickly move your right foot to the brake pedal and press it hard, and after reducing the speed to the minimum value, sharply press the clutch pedal with your left foot, preventing the engine from stopping. With your right hand, shift the gear lever to the neutral position and further, depending on the situation on the road, or turn on the necessary gear, or after stopping the car, turn off the ignition, put the parking brake lever in the upper position, turn on one of the lower gears and remove your left foot from the pedal clutch. On some «dozens», which are mainly exported, anti-lock braking systems are installed (ABS), which with a special device weaken the brake when the wheels are on the verge of blocking. ABS does not override the laws of physics, vehicle forces, braking forces, weather conditions, and road surfaces. Therefore, skidding a car with ABS is also possible!
With intermittent braking, you maintain control of the car. Periodically releasing and applying the brakes, as if pumping the brake pedal. If you feel the beginning of a skid or skid, immediately release the brake pedal! Then press the pedal again and so on until the desired speed reduction or until a complete stop.
With stepwise braking, you must first gently press the brake pedal, which turns on the brake lights, and the drivers behind have the opportunity to take retaliatory measures. Gradually increase the force on the brake pedal. Repeatedly increase pressing a brake pedal with strengthening exceeding former pressing. And so press and slightly release a brake pedal, increase effort after each time. It is necessary to feel the beginning of the wheel lock, i.e. the beginning of the skid. It comes with experience.
Do not abuse the brake pedal. Depress the brake pedal early before stopping. Always look in your rearview mirror when braking. Consider road and weather conditions. Give yourself enough space and time to maneuver.
If you need to stop the car in a certain place, you must:
- look in the rearview mirror at the road;
- make sure that there are no vehicles and pedestrians who need to give way;
- turn on the left or right turn signal (some people forget to do it);
- take your foot off the gas pedal and move it to the brake pedal;
- take respectively to the right or to the left;
- if necessary, lightly press the brake pedal, and then more strongly;
- immediately before stopping, abruptly depress the clutch pedal to the end;
- lift the parking brake lever up;
- turn off the ignition;
- move the gear lever to neutral, and then to a lower gear;
- take your feet off the clutch and gas pedal;
- turn off the turn signal.