Many of us today have learned how to drive a clutch, or manual transmission, vehicle. What fun that was! And many of us can relate to much of the information in this post about clutches.
When we talk about pushing in on the clutch, we think of putting the vehicle in neutral. What is really happening when we push down on the clutch is disengaging the transmission from the engine. This allows us to shift gears without grinding (IF done properly).
There are several parts to a clutch. These are a clutch disc, a pusher fork, a throw-out bearing, a flywheel and a pressure plate. I had no idea there were so many parts to a clutch! My head is spinning with all this knowledge… maybe you are feeling the same. No worries, no quiz at the end.
These 4 bad driving habits will wear down a clutch:
• Driving (starting and stopping) on hills constantly
• Making incorrect gear changes
• Riding the clutch—usually done in very slow-moving traffic
• Driving on a damaged clutch
Okay so how do I know if my clutch is in need of repair or replacement? Here are 4 indicators:
• You are finding it difficult to shift gears
• You are able to rev the engine, but slower acceleration
• When you hear a squeaking/grumbling noise when you push on the clutch
• Your clutch is slipping due to a short loss of acceleration
FYI: A modern straight-shift clutch can last about 80,000 miles. A clutch replacement will involve 3-6 hours of labor. This is a labor-intensive repair for sure! That’s why, when you were learning how to drive a manual transmission vehicle; your parents or the “coach” reacted so intensely to grinding or riding the clutch.