When to change your car clutch ?
The clutch is made up of several components that are all wearing parts. On average, the clutch kit should be changed every 150,000 kilometers. There are also symptoms that tell you when to change your clutch: vibrations in the pedal, difficulty shifting gears. If you’re not sure when to change your clutch, follow the guide.
Causes of a Clutch Change
The frequency of clutch changes varies from one car to another, depending on the driver and the environment in which it is used. It is therefore advisable to have it checked periodically, especially after 100,000 kilometers.
Several symptoms also indicate that it is time to change your clutch:
– The clutch pedal is soft or too hard;
– The clutch pedal squeaks or vibrates;
– The gears are difficult to shift;
– Starting is difficult;
– The clutch heats up and smells burnt;
– The car has trouble picking up speed when accelerating.
– If your clutch shows these signs, it is out of order and must be replaced without delay. Indeed, you risk causing other breakdowns in the long run.
Can I drive with a defective clutch ?
When your clutch is defective, you will have difficulty shifting gears and starting. This can obviously be a problem in your daily life. But in the long run, you may simply not be able to start.
You’ll need to be hauled away, with the bill that goes with it. In addition, continuing to drive with an out-of-order clutch can damage other parts, including the flywheel, which the defective clutch will rub against.
The gearbox can also suffer, as can the engine, because it can’t shift properly. All in all, you run the risk of causing other breakdowns that are even more costly than a clutch change.
To avoid damaging other fragile parts of your engine, pay attention to the different behaviors of your clutch. Signs such as vibration and difficulty shifting gears are warning signs not to be ignored.