A manual transmission clutch can last as little as 50,000 miles or as long as over 100,000 miles. It depends on how you drive your automobile and the quality of the original part. Hightech Automotive is going to list the signs that your clutch is going out below so you know what to look for. In some cases, we may be able to resolve the problem by adjusting the clutch rather than replacing it.
Acceleration Hesitation
As such, it’s important that you bring your vehicle to us at the first sign of trouble. One indication that your clutch is malfunctioning is hesitation when you try to accelerate your vehicle. This is a sign that the clutch is slipping, which means it doesn’t stay engaged even though you still have the pedal depressed.
Change in the Bite Point
Another sign that your clutch is going out is a change in the bite point. Also called the catch point, this is the place in the clutch where you shift gears. In most cases, the bite point will get higher as the clutch wears out. You may not notice this at first as the change in location may be subtle.
Clutch Burning Odors
Your clutch is definitely slipping if you smell burning odors coming from it. You should never smell burning or hot odors coming from the clutch. If you do, the internal mechanisms are wearing out and the clutch is unable to stay engaged. Consequently, it will begin to overheat.
Grinding/Squealing Gears
This may result in grinding or squealing when you try to shift gears. You may have ground the gears when you first learned to drive a clutch, but you shouldn’t be grinding the gears after you’ve mastered the process. If your gears are grinding, the clutch is not staying engaged.
Problems Shifting Gears
Naturally, because you use the clutch to shift gears, you will have problems shifting through the gear cycle if the clutch has gone bad. In fact, you may not even be able to get your automobile into gear.
Soft or Spongy Feeling
Finally, if the clutch resistance changes and gets soft or spongy, this is a sign that the clutch is going out. The opposite can happen, as well. You may find it extremely difficult to depress your clutch. Either way, the clutch needs to be inspected as soon as possible.
Call Hightech Automotive in Forest City, NC, today if you are having any of the problems listed above. We can adjust your clutch or replace it if necessary.