car clutch

Clutch

FAQ

Carage welcomes you to our page with answers to some frequently asked questions about auto clutches that our clutch specialists are asked by our customers in the greater Jupiter area who trust and rely on us for all their auto repair needs.

Here are some common questions about Clutch.

Clutches in vehicles are used to engage the flywheel. When engaged, the flywheel enables the transmission to be shifted from one gear to another.
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Changing the clutch in your car or truck is not dependent upon any specific time period or mileage level. Rather the clutch only need be changed when a malfunction is noticed. Vehicles that are mostly driven in and around the streets of Jupiter that are subject to frequent starts and stops, as compared to those driven around the roads of the greater Palm Beach area, are more prone to needing a clutch repair.

  1. The team at Carage tells our customers that one of the first indications of disc in a clutch wearing thin is a scratching sound heard when shifting gears. When this occurs, it indicates that the disc did not complete its intended function of transferring power from the vehicle’s engine to the transmission.
  2. An obvious signal that a clutch is in need of replacement is when attempting to overtake another vehicle or going up a steep incline, the engine’s revolutions go up without any increase in speed.
  3. Another time to consider having your clutch replaced is when a lack of smoothness is noticed, or it is challenging shifting gears regardless of traveling at the correct speed.
  4. Physically speaking, another sign the clutch in your car or truck is beginning to wear out and need replacement is with a shortened distance of the clutch pedal for proper disengagement.
  5. Carage can perform an inspection to determine the amount of wear and tear on the clutch. It should be noted though that even an inspection itself can contribute to shortening the life of a vehicle’s clutch and as such clutch inspections should not be done on a frequent basis. When one of the technicians at Carage performs the inspection, the engine will be running and vehicle’s hand break will be engaged. Then, as acceleration is applied the clutch pedal will be raised while remaining in 3rd gear. The more time required to make the vehicle stall will indicate how much the clutch is worn out.
Clutches are no different from most other parts in your vehicle in that they wear out. Quite often it is not unusual for Carage to have to replace a clutch prior to the end of its lifespan. This is simply because clutches encounter a certain amount of wear and tear during normal driving circumstances. It is important to understand that determining how long a clutch will last is similar to solving a complicated equation with numerous variables. Some clutches can last well beyond 100,000 miles while other clutches will wear out in under 30,000-miles. The longevity of a clutch can be dependent on how carefully the clutch is used during driving. Other factors affecting how long a clutch will last can include how hot of a climate the car is driven in as well as the type of vehicle the clutch is in. In hot climates the transmission fluid will typically run hotter and as a result can burn out parts more quickly. To get the most life out of your clutch and avoid a clutch replacement Carage suggests not using the clutch when not needed. When stopped at a traffic light for example it is best not to use the clutch to make the vehicle stand still. Rather take the car out of gear and use the brake pedal to let the transmission rest in neutral. This provides the clutch with the chance to rest instead of keeping pressure on it. Even more important than the previous suggestion, Carage suggests not using the clutch pedal as a means to control the vehicle’s speed.

The clutch plays an important role in the operation of a vehicle in that it serves to connect the engine to the transmission. The clutch pedal is used to activate the clutch.