Your car, truck, or C/SUV will give you signs that it needs a new clutch once the clutch has worn out. A clutch can last anywhere from 50,000 miles to over 100,000 miles. How you drive your automobile can affect the lifespan of the clutch. Mike’s Auto Service & Repair is going to list the signs of a bad clutch below. If you experience any of these things while you are driving your automobile, the clutch needs to be replaced, repaired, or adjusted at a minimum.
A Spongy/Soft Clutch
The clutch pedal should give you resistance each time you press down on it. If it feels spongy or soft, or if it sinks all the way to the floor, the clutch needs to be replaced. Changes in resistance levels indicate an internal problem with the clutch.
A Hot/Burning Clutch
If your clutch smells hot or releases burning odors when you use it, this is a sign that it is not staying engaged. We call this a slipping clutch. When this happens, you will have problems shifting gears. We will talk about that next.
Problems Shifting Gears
If the clutch slips out of engagement while you are trying to shift gears, the power will transfer back to the engine from the transmission. This will make changing gears rough and noisy. Any issues shifting gears can point to a problem with the clutch.
Higher Catch Point
Another sign that your clutch is going out is if the catch or bite point gets higher than it used to be. This is the point during the clutch depression at which you shift the gears. The older and more worn out the clutch gets the higher the catch point.
Acceleration Hesitation
Your vehicle will also hesitate to accelerate once you release the clutch and press down on the accelerator if the clutch is going bad. This is an indication that the power is not transferring properly between the engine and the transmission. The clutch is responsible for this power transfer.
Grinding Gear Noises
Finally, you will definitely be able to tell that the power has not transferred to the transmission if your gears grind when you shift them. This is a telltale sign that the clutch is unable to do its job. Continuing to shift your gears when the clutch is in this condition will damage the gears.
Call Mike’s Auto Service & Repair in West Springfield, MA, today to set up a service appointment for a clutch inspection if you are having problems with your automobile’s clutch.
