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Clutches
In cars with manual transmission systems, the various components of the clutch assembly allow seamless changes between the gears. It is probably the most important component in the car, aside from the engine and gearbox.
When your foot is off the clutch pedal, the clutch plate is held against the engine's flywheel, thereby connecting the engine to the transmission. The whole union is the result of friction, and the condition of the clutch assembly has great effect over the performance of the vehicle overall.
When you press the clutch pedal the clutch assembly is disengaged from the engine, to allow you to change gear. Then, when you take your foot back off the pedal the pressure plate releases it's hold on the clutch plate, allowing it to resume frictional contact with the flywheel and re-connect the assembly to the transmission.
A worn clutch will have a negative effect on fuel consumption and will result in a loss of power. In extreme cases, the car will eventually have little or no drive at all.
The main symptoms of burnt out clutches are as follows:
- Difficulty in engaging gear.
- Normally there will be the classic crunching noise.
- Inability to engage gear at all.
- A juddering when pulling away from a stationary position.
- The engine RPM increases when the throttle pedal is depressed, but vehicle speed does not increase as it would normally be expected to do.
- A pronounced burning smell
Here are a few tips to prolong the life of your clutch:
- Don’t rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving; you will take up the slack between thrust and release bearings and wear them out.
- Don’t leave the car in gear with your foot on the clutch at traffic lights for the same reason.
- Don’t hold the car on a hill by slipping the clutch for longer than absolutely necessary when doing a hill-start. You will wear out the friction surface. Release the handbrake gradually with your thumb on the release button as you lift the clutch and press the accelerator.
- Don’t slip clutches deliberately to avoid changing gear.
- Make sure that there is a little free play in the pedal movement before you start to feel the weight; if there is no slack you may need to adjust the cable housing or the clutch rod.
- If you have hydraulic clutch control, make sure the reservoir is as well topped up as that for the brake system.
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