The Clutch is one of the most crucial components when driving a vehicle. Therefore, it is always a smart thing to be aware of your clutch health to avoid any major repair/replacement that might cost you hefty. And if you are wondering how to get an insight into your clutch’s health, here are 5 common signs of a failing clutch.
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A softer clutch pedal
One of the first signs of a failing clutch is a soft/spongy feeling when pressing the clutch pedal. This is generally caused by problems with the hydraulic release mechanism. If you feel your clutch has suddenly become softer than before, check for possible air trapped in the system. If ignored, your clutch pedal could drop to the floor without much pressure, or even engage without any apparent pressure.
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A Burning Smell
Another common symptom of a failing clutch is a noticeable burning smell that often arises when shifting gears. This burning smell is generally caused by friction emitting out of a slipping clutch. If the smell happens to be accompanied by a rattling sound, then it may be time to replace your clutch pretty soon. If ignored, the problem can cause further issues that can prove to be too heavy on your pockets.
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Difficulty Changing Gears
Well, gearshift on-board a manual transmission is meant to be smooth, trouble-free and absolutely seamless. However, if you notice that shifting gears has become quite a hassle over time, there might be a problem with your clutch. With an old, worn-out clutch, gear shift, especially when moving from the first gear to the second, and engaging the reverse to become quite problematic.
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An upward shift in biting point
As you spend time behind the wheels, you get thoroughly acquainted with your clutch’s biting point. However, as your clutch wears out, the biting point keeps shifting higher and higher. And if your clutch has failed altogether, you might be letting out your clutch all the way up in order to move your wheels.
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High RPM
Another common symptom of clutch issues is a noticeably higher RPM coupled by a reduced pickup. In such cases, you will notice that the RPM will tend to rise further than necessary for a given speed before your vehicle catches up. This kind of slippage will not only drop the mileage but also cause your clutch to further wear out. The smartest way thus is to replace the clutch if something like this happens.
Even though problems with the clutch are avoidable by driving smartly, the best way forward when an issue is diagnosed would be to be replacing a failing unit before it becomes a bigger pain. And when you decide to do that, make sure to choose the best in quality spares directly from GoMechanic Spares.
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