The effects of engine braking are felt immediately after you lift your foot off the accelerator pedal while the car is in gear. The vehicle starts to slow down naturally due to resistance created inside the engine. Additionally, downshifting to a lower gear increases engine braking effects by forcing the engine to turn faster, providing more resistance and slowing the car more effectively. However, engine braking alone will not stop the car completely; the brakes and clutch are still needed to come to a full stop. The slowing from engine braking is gradual and not as instant or dramatic as using the brake pedal.