The clutch is a vital part of any car with a manual gearbox, and is normally one of the more reliable components of a vehicle. On the whole, if there are issues developing, early signs of clutch failure are easy to spot, meaning you can take your model for repairs before the problem gets more serious. Here’s what to look for.
When you push the clutch down, it separates the engine from the transmission so you can change gear smoothly. A car engine is working way too fast for you to change gear smoothly without this disconnect – and if you don’t put the clutch down properly, you’ll hear a grinding noise in protest. When you’ve finished, you release the clutch to reconnect the engine and transmission again.
Like any other car part, clutches will wear down over time. As a clutch starts to wear out, it will either not engage properly (known as a slipping clutch), or not disengage properly. Here are some signs to look out for:
How quickly the clutch wears out depends partly on how the car is driven. A clutch should last for 60,000 to 80,000 miles, even up to 100,000 miles, but it might go more quickly if:
A new clutch on most family cars will cost £400 to £500. It should go without saying that sticking to your car’s maintenance schedule, and getting any problems checked out early, will help your clutch last as long as possible. At Carwise Group, our in-house technicians carry out repairs and car servicingat our Maidstone and Harlow used car dealerships – just pop along to see us if you’re worried and we’ll have a look at it for you.
We also sell a range of used cars of myriad makes and models – and buying from us gives you the peace of mind that comes with choosing a reputable used car dealer, as all our cars are thoroughly checked before they go on sale. We also offer a variety of car finance deals. To book a test drive, call our Kent or Essex dealerships today.