If you drive a manual transmission, you rely on the clutch to shift the gears. Tri Valley Auto Repair & Diesel is going to list the signs that your clutch is going out below. This includes the clutch on all cars, trucks, and utility vehicles as well as diesel trucks. The average lifespan of a clutch is about 100,000 miles. Here are signs that your clutch needs to be adjusted at a minimum or replaced.
Burning Odors From the Clutch
You may be able to smell that your clutch is having problems. When the clutch slips, it tends to release burning odors. These smells are easy to detect and you may remember smelling a burning clutch when you first learned how to drive a manual transmission.
Changes in the Catch Point
Another sign that your clutch is going bad is changes in the catch point. Some people also call this the bite point. This is the point in the clutch where you shift gears. When the clutch is going out, the catch point often gets higher. Sometimes, we can resolve the problem with a simple clutch adjustment. If there are other problems with the clutch, however, we will need to replace it.
Hesitation During Acceleration
One sure sign that you need a new clutch is hesitation when you try to accelerate. This, too, is an indication that the clutch is slipping and not providing power to the manual transmission. When this happens, the lack of power reduces the transmission’s ability to turn the drivetrain. Unfortunately, if your drivetrain isn’t turning, your wheels are not turning.
Problems With the Gears
Obviously, a malfunctioning clutch will make it difficult to put your vehicle into gear and shift through the gear cycle. Again, part of this problem is that the transmission is not getting power. When you press down on the clutch, you have probably noticed that the engine loses power. This is because this power is moved over to the transmission. If the power isn’t transferred properly, you may not be able to shift gears or your gears may grind when you shift them.
Soft or Hard Clutch Pedal
Finally, the clutch pedal itself can change the resistance that it gives you. It may get too soft and sink all the way to the floor without catching, or it may get too hard and become difficult to press down.
If you are experiencing any of these problems, call Tri Valley Auto Repair & Diesel today. We are located in Limon, CO, and we’d be happy to inspect your clutch and adjust it or replace it if necessary.
