Many people drive a manual transmission because they love it. There’s an increased feeling of control over your automobile and, let’s face it, it can be fun shifting gears. One of the most important parts of your manual transmission is the clutch. If you suspect that your clutch is going out, bring your vehicle to Ultimate Auto Repair for an inspection and adjustments. Here are signs that your clutch is going out.
Strange Noises
Signs of a worn clutch include squeaking when you press down on the clutch or a grumbling sound. This is usually an indicator that some of the internal mechanisms of the clutch are wearing out and it’s time to replace them. Your clutch really shouldn’t make any noise at all. If it does, it needs some TLC. On average, you can expect your vehicle’s clutch to last about 100,000 miles, but this lifespan can be shortened or extended depending on how much you use the clutch.
Problems Changing Gears
Another sign that your clutch is going bad is difficulty changing gears. Shifting through the gear cycle should be smooth and easy, especially once you get the hang of driving a manual transmission. If you are having problems shifting the gears, such as the gears are grinding as you shift them or your vehicle is refusing to go into the next gear, this is a sign that your clutch is going bad and needs to be replaced.
Odd Clutch Sensation
Another sign that you are having problems with your clutch is how it feels underneath your foot. You should never feel the clutch vibrate, nor should the pedal stick when you depress it or release it. If the internal clutch mechanisms have worn out, the pedal may also feel spongy when you press down on it, or it may feel too loose. Your clutch should always give you the same hesitation when you use it.
Poor Acceleration
If your engine revs but your vehicle doesn’t accelerate, this is a sign that your clutch was unable to put your transmission into gear or that the transmission has slipped out of gear. It’s important to have this checked out right away, as continuing to drive your automobile could damage the clutch and manual transmission.
Catch-Point Change
Finally, the point at which the clutch catches might get higher if the clutch is going bad. Once you get used to this catch point, you can drive your manual transmission automatically without even thinking about it. If the catch point seems to be higher than normal, you may need to have your clutch adjusted.
Stop by or call Ultimate Auto Repair in Jackson, MI, today for a clutch inspection. We’ll figure out whether your clutch just needs to be adjusted or must be replaced.
