As your car gets older, its components will start to deteriorate and will eventually need repair or replacement. However, if you give your car proper care and timely maintenance, you can actually prolong its life.
The clutch rarely breaks down, but ideally, you need to maintain your clutch and use it gently to avoid costly clutch repairs. If you treat your clutch recklessly, you are likely to cut its useful life in half.
Here are simple yet practical steps you should take to maximize the useful life of your clutch:
1. Keep your clutch reservoir above minimum
There should be sufficient amount of fluid in the reservoir to make the clutch work properly. You will find the reservoir in the engine compartment. Check it from time to time to make sure that its content is above the minimum. If the level is near the minimum, top it up with more fluid.
If you think you’re topping up fluid too frequently, the fluid might be going somewhere else. Take your car to a mechanic to have it checked just to make sure that there is no underlying problem.
2. Utilize your car’s handbrake on hills.
Hill starts are challenging and many drivers want to avoid such situations. Maintain your place on the hill by using your hand brake instead of relying too much on the clutch. This can help to minimize excess wear and tear on your clutch. Preserve the life of your clutch by using the handbrake in order to facilitate a smooth uphill start.
3. Avoid clutch slips.
A clutch slip happens when your clutch engages or disengages yet power is not transmitted to the wheels. A slipping clutch can trigger additional problems if you leave it unchecked. A clutch that slips time and time again can cause damage to your engine’s flywheel and the pressure plate of your clutch. This can result in premature clutch replacement.
4. Listen for unusual noises.
If you listen to your car when its running, you should definitely know its normal sounds and movements. Watch out for unusual vibrations, jolting movements and strange noises as these are indicative of clutch failure. You should observe your car keenly to be able to detect things that don’t sound or feel normal especially when you’re shifting gears. Seek the opinion of an experienced mechanic if you think your car doesn’t sound or feel normal when running.
The clutch can be the most reliable component of your car but it can be a cause for problems when it is worn out. Take good care of your car to prolong its useful life. When it starts to shudder, slip or produce unusual noise, bring your vehicle to a reputable car repair center for possible clutch replacement or clutch repairs.
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