Henry JohnsonFor anyone with a love of cars, the chances are that you drive with a manual transmission. Manual transmissions aren’t as common these days. But there are still some cars that perform optimally with them. When using a standard transmission, some essential parts must work for you to drive successfully. Here are the signs that you need to replace your clutch.
Feeling Soft When Pressed
Just like the other two pedals, you should feel a little bit of resistance when you step on the clutch. When a clutch is on its way out, it’ll “soften” up. When this happens, you’ll feel like the pedal is way too light to press. The clutch system is surprisingly heavy when it’s in good shape. Any performance car driver knows that it takes a little bit of effort to press it. When this characteristic is missing, you should have a mechanic check your car to see if it needs servicing.
Slipping Out of Place
Another sign that you need to replace your clutch is that it slips out of place. This may happen when you’re driving uphill or accelerating after a stoplight or turn. Slipping occurs when the clutch has become worn out, decreasing the friction needed to engage it. You may also experience slipping when trying to shift gears. Furthermore, there may be a lack of acceleration even when your engine is revving.
Grinding or Difficulty Shifting Gears
The history of manual transmissions has come a long way in the last century. The first vehicles were single-speed machines. And 2012 was when Porsche created the first seven-speed manual transmission. Without the ability to shift gears, performance cars wouldn’t be useable. When clutches are reaching the end of their life, you might hear a heart-breaking grinding sound. This is due to one of the components failing to release the clutch fully when you try to engage it. You’ll also have trouble trying to shift gears because of this.
Manual cars are more responsive and fun to drive. However, if your clutch isn’t working correctly, you won’t be able to control your ride fully.
