If your car hesitates every time that you release the clutch, United Auto Care advises that the acceleration problem can likely be attributed to the clutch. When you press down on the clutch, the power is transferred from the engine to the transmission temporarily. This allows you to shift gears and the transmission to turn the driveshaft, i.e., the wheels. Acceleration hesitation suggests the clutch is unable to move the engine power to the transmission. This is just one sign of a malfunctioning clutch.
Bite Point Changes
Another sign that your clutch is going bad is a change in the bite point. Also known as the catch point, this point tends to get higher in faulty clutches. If you have the clutch adjusted every 6,000 miles as recommended, your bite point should remain at the same point for a long time. Once it starts to get higher, it’s most likely time to replace the clutch.
Burning Clutch Odors
If you smell burning odors coming from the clutch, the clutch is slipping. What this means is that the clutch initially engages when you press down on it and then disengages even though you haven’t released it. This can overheat the clutch and you will smell hot odors from the manual transmission’s part. This, too, points to a need for a new clutch.
Gear Shifting Problems
Naturally, if the clutch is unable to remain engaged, you will have problems shifting the gears. In fact, you may not be able to get your car, truck, or utility vehicle into gear if the clutch is slipping and not engaged. This can make driving your vehicle impossible.
Grinding Gears
Another sign that the clutch is slipping is grinding gears. The grinding sound indicates that the engine still has all or some of the power rather than the transmission. When you shift gears under these conditions, the gears will grind and struggle to shift. You might also hear another strange sound if your clutch is going bad and that is squeaking when you use the clutch.
Soft or Spongy Pedal
Finally, aside from changes in the bite point as discussed above, your clutch pedal may also start to feel spongy or soft underneath your foot when you use it. A bad clutch pedal can also sink all the way to the floor without catching on the bite point.
Call United Auto Care in Flowery Branch, GA, today if you are having problems with your vehicle’s clutch. We can replace it if necessary.
