All manual transmission vehicles have a clutch between the engine and the gearbox, so that the driver can move away when stationary and shift gears. Clutches are strong, but need to be replaced periodically as they wear out over time.
Steps
Step 1. Understand the symptoms of a worn clutch
Usually, this is characterized by a slip of the clutch as you press it; the speed will increase a lot when you try to accelerate, even if the clutch is not pressed. Under normal driving conditions, a good clutch connects the engine to the transmission, so that the speed directly links to the vehicle's speed changes.
Step 2. Make sure it's the clutch's fault
If your vehicle has a hydraulic clutch, remove the air in the system by draining the hydraulic circuit, as you would the brake system. A cable clutch may have its own cable damaged or jammed and therefore will not be able to take all the torque from the engine.
Step 3. Change the clutch as soon as possible
Replacing the clutch is a complicated job, as you have to remove the transmission to get to the clutch. Unless you are an experienced mechanic, take the car to a specialist shop.
Advice
- Do not drive a car with a worn clutch. You will consume more and the car will go slower, plus the clutch could break completely at any time, leaving you on foot.
- To make sure your clutch needs to be replaced, put the third or fourth gear at approximately 55km / h with the clutch pressed in and accelerate. If the engine starts to rev and the vehicle does not pick up speed, the clutch needs to be changed. The engine revs because the clutch does not connect well with the flywheel, causing it to slip.
- Replacing the clutch takes a long time, because the transmission has to be removed. While for a rear-wheel drive vehicle it might be relatively simple, for a front-wheel drive or 4x4 vehicle it won't be at all. Because of this, it is a good idea to change the clutch every time the gearbox is removed from the vehicle. This will save you time and money in the long run, especially if you take the car to a mechanic to do so.