A clutch is a pedal in your car that you press down on with your foot to change between gears. It plays an essential part in any manual vehicle’s operation, allowing the driver to control the power from the engine to the wheels and transition gears.
You use the clutch to control the speed of your car by disconnecting the engine from the wheels without turning it off. This makes your clutch essential for safe driving.
Over time, it’s normal for your clutch to become worn out, often due to age or your driving habits.
Worn clutches can make it more challenging to shift gears smoothly and find the right gear. Any issue with your clutch needs to be addressed as soon as possible to prevent it from developing into a more serious problem.
Despite its important role, many drivers fail to notice clutch release problems until the clutch begins to stutter or fail altogether.
In this article, we’ll explore five ways to prevent your clutch from wearing out too soon to help you keep your car running smoothly.
1) Don’t Ride the Clutch
‘Riding the clutch’ is the act of keeping the clutch pedal partially pressed down. When you ride the clutch, you’re pushing the pressure pad against the clutch plate but not engaging it completely. This creates unnecessary friction and can lead to your clutch wearing out faster.
If you want to avoid this, keep your foot away from the clutch unless you’re actually changing gear. For a smooth and clutch-friendly start, press the pedal swiftly through its entire range of motion when starting from a stop. Avoid turning corners or slowing down for traffic lights with the clutch semi-pressed.
2) Sit in Neutral When Stopped
Waiting at traffic lights or junctions with the clutch pressed down, first gear engaged, and your foot on the brake can lead to unnecessary strain on the clutch.
One of the symptoms of a clutch wearing out quickly is a burning smell or unusual grinding noises when you’re shifting gear. To reduce the risk of your clutch wearing out, change into neutral if you’re going to stop for any length of time, and use the handbrake to keep your car at rest.
3) Use Your Handbrake Properly
Practising how to properly use the handbrake is one of the best ways to prevent your clutch wearing out too soon. For example, if you need to stop at a traffic light or on a hill, use the handbrake to hold your vehicle in place instead of the clutch. If possible, use the handbrake to secure your car when parking as well.
Reducing the amount of pressure you put on the clutch when you’re not driving is an effective way to maintain this component.
4) Change Gear Quickly and Smoothly
Changing gears doesn’t need to take a long time. In fact, the longer you press down on the clutch pedal, the more strain you’re putting on your clutch every time you make a gear change.
Some high-performance clutches may be able to handle this. But sliding your gear stick slowly puts strain on the clutch as it attempts to match the input shaft speed with the output shaft speed without fully engaging.
Train yourself to lift your foot off the accelerator decisively and smoothly engage the clutch. This is an effective way to reduce the risk of your clutch wearing out early.
5) Rev Match Your Gear Changes
Rev matching while you downshift is a good way to ensure your car engine speed matches the wheel speed and allows for smoother gear changes.
When you downshift without rev-matching, you may notice abrupt and uneven clutch engagement or other symptoms of your clutch wearing out. Rev matching allows for a smoother transition when you change gear and prevents your clutch wearing out too soon.
Contact In Town Automotive To Prevent Your Clutch Wearing Out Too Soon
The clutch is one of the most important parts of your car and needs to be treated well to ensure it’s always in good condition.
If you’ve recognised any signs of your clutch wearing out, you may be wondering if you need to replace it. The good news is that a worn clutch doesn’t always need to be replaced, especially if it’s only slightly worn and the damage isn’t too serious.
If you’re experiencing any clutch release problems or other car issues, In Town Automotive can help.
We have a team of experienced mechanics who can effectively service your vehicle and keep it running smoothly. They’ll use their knowledge and expertise to swiftly detect and resolve any car issues and restore your vehicle to peak condition.
As an award-winning garage in Northampton, we’re well-equipped to repair brakes, tyres, exhausts, and more. We are also one of the leading garages offering MOT in Northampton.
To learn more, explore our services, or contact us to book an appointment today.
bookings@intownautomotive.co.uk