Both manual and automatic transmission cars have clutches; the difference lies in their mechanism. It’s a multipurpose device that allows the driver to start or stop the wheels while the engine remains steadfast.
Many a time, clutches end up needing repairs far too soon even though it’s high-priced. The good news is that it’s possible to extend your clutch’s life by employing proper driving techniques and performing routine clutch maintenance. Here’s how you can minimize any deliberate wear and tear to enjoy the maximum life capacity of your clutch:
1. Don’t ride the clutch
Riding your clutch will cause it to burn out much quicker than planned. Keep your foot off the clutch pedal when pressing on the accelerator.
Treating the clutch as a footrest will cause the bearings to loosen in the long run, and the likelihood of you calling for a clutch repair increase dramatically.
Ideally, the clutch should be fully depressed, so it remains untouched. It’s advised to use the clutch only when necessary. When bringing the car to a halt, put the gear in neutral before you take off your foot from the clutch.
1. Don’t press the brake and clutch simultaneously
In a manual transmission vehicle, you shouldn’t downshift (change to a lower gear) each time you wish to slow the vehicle, instead make use of the brakes.
Similarly, using the brake and clutch simultaneously decreases your slowing rate as it takes the load away from the engine, only to result in a potential car accident. Bear in mind that brake pads are much more affordable than clutch assemblies.
2. Don’t use the clutch on inclined surfaces
There’s a good reason that there’s a parking brake or the handbrake in your car; it can prevent your car from rolling down any inclined surfaces. Refrain from leaving your vehicle in gear as it will put excessive strain on the clutch.
When driving slope downward, engine braking might come in handy if you feel the brakes may skid you out. But otherwise, you should avoid engine braking as it drastically eats away the life of the clutch.
3. Don’t forget routine maintenance
Maintenance can prolong the lifespan of each component in your vehicle, including the clutch, to keep it in better shape. The way to detect any troubles with the clutch is to listen to the noises your car makes.
If you hear something out of the ordinary, schedule an inspection for your car to repair the clutch. Some of the most common car clutch problems include wearing, broken cable, hard clutch, misalignment, leaks, and air in the hydraulic line.
4. Race launches are detrimental
Launching the car by building up the RPM and dumping the clutch is tempting to anyone with driving skills, especially when they’ve got an empty road ahead of them. But it puts the clutch system under a whole lot of stress.
So, keep the RPM low and remove your foot off the clutch gradually.
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