Signs That Your Car Clutch Needs Attention

The clutch is one of the most important and crucial parts of your vehicle. It is the component of your driving system that enables you to actually drive your vehicle. While you may understand how the clutch is important to your car, there are some aspects that you might overlook. There are problems with the clutch that can cause serious damage within the operating mechanical parts and gears of your car.

Thus, you must be vigilant to ensure that your vehicle is always in perfect working condition. Here are signs that you should look out for to know that your vehicle’s clutch needs attention. Then you can visit a reputed clutch repairs Brisbane expert to have it checked.

A Slipping Clutch

Clutch slippage is the most common warning to clutch problems. With a clutch that slips, you will feel that your vehicle doesn’t move faster even when you apply extra gas. At slower speeds, the engine motion is transferred to the wheels through the clutch, and hence you will feel the acceleration.

When the engine spins faster, however, the clutch disk just slips on the flywheel, and no motion gets transferred. This is why you don’t feel the extra acceleration. The car seems to be suddenly going out of gear and then coming back.

The slipping is normally caused by simple wear as the clutch disk is typically a friction plate. Just like brakes start to slip when their friction material gradually wears away, clutch disks wear out and stop binding to the flywheel. You can repair a worn-out clutch disk through a simple repair procedure.

Burning Clutch Smell

Sometimes clutches can fail to completely bind to the flywheel. This may happen because you are driving along with your foot partially on the clutch most of the time. It may also be caused by a maladjusted or damaged pressure plate, which inadvertently pushes the clutch disk into incomplete contact with the flywheel.

Driving with your foot partially on the clutch pedal gradually grinds down the clutch disk, resulting in premature wear. You should, therefore, always resist the urge to ride the clutch. A pressure plate malfunction, on the other hand, is not your fault and should just be checked out soon by your mechanic.

In all these cases, you will smell “burning clutch” that is sometimes accompanied with some smoke billowing out from underneath your car. In such a situation, get it checked by an expert.

Clutch Disengagement Issues

Sometimes the hydraulic stroke that disengages the clutch from the flywheel may have issues. In such a situation, it’ll be either impossible or difficult to disengage the clutch. This usually indicates a leakage in the clutch fluid lines.

Warning signs of this case will be small difficulty disengaging the clutch. When the clutch action starts to feel strange, slow, or excessively difficult, it is time to get it checked. A clutch that suddenly malfunctions and can’t be disengaged can be a risky situation.

You don’t want to find yourself in a car that can’t be taken out of gear except by wrenching force. While you can still apply the brakes, they’ll be fighting the engine’s motion. As you can see, this type of scenario is one that you’re better off avoiding.

Conclusion

The clutch is an integral component for the smooth running of your car. You should, therefore, take heed of these crucial signs to know that your clutch needs attention. Then you can visit a reputable and experienced clutch repairs Brisbane professional, like United Car Care, to have it repaired accordingly.