WHAT YOUR CLUTCH DOES

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For vehicles with manual transmission, the clutch connects the engine and transmission to make sure a car moves smoothly through the gears. Vehicles with automatic transmission have a different mechanism for achieving this.

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Made up of three parts – the clutch plate, the pressure plate and the flywheel – the clutch allows you to change gears seamlessly, if working correctly. However, if your clutch needs replacing, this can cause other problems for driving. 

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IS THE CLUTCH SOMETHING i CAN FIX MYSELF?

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Apart from topping up the clutch fluid reservoir (if you have a hydraulic clutch) there is very little if anything you can do yourself to fix a clutch related fault. The replacement of a clutch is a specialised repair and should be entrusted to a reliable garage - like us - to deal with.

A faulty clutch is one of the most common reasons for a breakdown.

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HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CLUTCH NEEDS REPLACING?

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There are a number of ways to diagnose whether or not your clutch is due for replacement. Typical systems of clutch faults include:

 

Squeaking or unusual grumbling noise when pressure is applied.

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Difficulty changing gears.

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The clutch pedal sticking, vibrating or appearing to feel spongy or loose.

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Poor acceleration but still having the ability to rev your engine.

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Momentary loss of acceleration caused by a feeling of a ‘slipping’ clutch.

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If you suspect your clutch is slipping or in need of replacing it is important you refrain from driving the car.

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FACTORS THAT AFFECT A CLUTCH'S LIFESPAN

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Although clutches are designed to last anywhere between 50,000 to 100,000 miles, there are a range of factors that can have an adverse affect on a clutch's lifespan:

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Quality of driving – if you often accelerate harshly without necessarily climbing up the gears or do a lot of stop-start driving, this is more likely to wear the clutch.

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Quality of vehicle – dependent on how old your vehicle is, and the mileage completed on the vehicle, this can affect how often the clutch needs replacing.

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How well you maintain your vehicle – regular services and checks to ensure the car is in good health should indicate how often your clutch needs to be replaced.