Signs You Ought To Know Of a Failing Clutch
Posted on: 6 September 2016
If you own a manual transmission vehicle, chances are you will have to endure problems with your clutch at one time or another. A mistake some motorists make, though, is ignoring the warning signs of impending clutch repairs. This gives the underlying problems time to become exacerbated until finally your vehicle is in need of clutch replacement. If you would like to prevent the inconvenience, as well as the extra cost, of having to replace your entire clutch, then it would be essential to know how to spot the symptoms of trouble. Here are some of the signs that every motorist ought to know of a failing clutch.
Your vehicle's clutch is feeling soft underfoot
Typically, when you step down on your clutch, you should feel some crisp resistance underfoot. In addition to this, when you take your foot off the clutch pedal, it is supposed to immediately move back into position. When you start feeling that your clutch is loose, or that it is spongy underfoot, chances are it has acquired some wear and tear. It would be essential to seek clutch repairs before it stops functioning completely. Rather than wait for car servicing, take your vehicle to a mechanic so they can establish whether it can be fixed or if you would be better off with clutch replacement.
Your vehicle's clutch is releasing a burning smell
Burning smells from your vehicle may not always be a source of worry. For instance, some motorists would ignore the smell of burning rubber as they assume the roads are simply much hotter than usual. Nevertheless, when burning smells are emanating from your clutch, then it would prudent to seek professional services from a mechanic. Typically, when your clutch begins releasing a burning odour, it could indicate increased friction from the clutch as it is slipping when in use. If left unchecked, the continuous friction is going to compromise the components that make up the clutch system. It would be best to have the worn components replaced before your clutch suffers from additional damage.
Your vehicle's clutch is not engaging
If you drive a manual vehicle, your clutch is essential for you to increase and decrease the speed of your vehicle. When a clutch starts failing, one of the signs that you will notice is that the vehicle will begin to vibrate when you attempt to engage the clutch. Over time, these vibrations may make way to your clutch simply not engaging when you are attempting to shift gears. It is not advisable to drive your vehicle without the ability to change gears at will. Therefore, it would be best to seek clutch repairs or replacement.
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