Driving a manual transmission is fun, isn’t it? You are in control of the automobile and might even feel like a racecar driver. It’s important to take care of the clutch, as this is the transmission part that allows you to shift gears. Generally, the clutch should be serviced and adjusted every 6,000 miles. Peerless Automotive can service your clutch and we can also replace it when it goes out. Here are six signs that it is going out and needs to be replaced.
1. Difficulty Shifting the Gears
It’s no surprise that you will have difficulty shifting the gears if the clutch is going bad. In fact, you may not be able to get your vehicle into gear at all. You should never have problems putting your automobile into first gear or reverse or shifting through the gear cycle. If you do, the clutch needs to be replaced.
2. Grinding Noises When Shifting Gears
Another sign that the clutch is having problems is if you hear grinding sounds when you shift the gears. You did this when you first started learning how to drive a manual transmission, but that’s a thing of the past. If the gears are grinding once again, your clutch is slipping out of engagement.
3. Hesitation When You Try to Accelerate
Another sign that the clutch is not engaged is hesitation when you try to accelerate your automobile after shifting gears. This is an indication that the clutch was unable to transfer the power to the transmission so it can turn the drivetrain. A new clutch is in order to resolve this problem.
4. A Soft or Spongy Clutch Pedal
A new clutch is also in order if the clutch pedal feels soft or spongy underneath your foot. A clutch pedal that no longer gives resistance needs to be replaced. This is especially true if the clutch pedal sinks all the way to the floorboard without ever reaching its catching point.
5. A Higher Clutch Catch Point
Speaking of the catch point, this location in the clutch will get higher if the clutch is starting to go bad. You get used to where the catch point is, and any changes can make driving your automobile difficult.
6. Burning Odors Coming From the Clutch
Finally, if you smell burning odors coming from the clutch, this is an indication that the clutch is slipping out of engagement. It’s also an indication that the clutch needs to be replaced.
Call Peerless Automotive in Olathe, KS, today if you are having problems with your vehicle’s clutch. We can rebuild or replace it if necessary.