We wish we could tell you how long you can expect your factory clutch to last in your automobile, but a clutch can go bad anywhere from 50,000 miles to over 100,000 miles. It really depends on the quality of the factory clutch and how you use it. If your vehicle is having any of the problems listed below, bring it into Twin City Automotive right away for a clutch inspection and possible replacement.
Acceleration Hesitation
The clutch is responsible for taking the power away from the engine and moving it to the transmission temporarily so you can shift the gears. This power transfer is also necessary to give the transmission the power that it needs to turn the drivetrain. If the clutch is no longer functioning, your vehicle may hesitate to accelerate because the transmission does not have the engine’s power to turn the drivetrain.
Burning Clutch Odors
The lack of power transfer is a sign that the clutch is slipping. This means that the clutch does not stay engaged. Another sign that the clutch is slipping is burning odors coming from the clutch. These odors indicate that the clutch is reaching the end of its life quickly. Head to our shop for a solution.
Difficulty Shifting Gears
A slipping clutch will also make it difficult for you to shift the gears because the power will remain with the engine. In addition to having problems shifting the gears, your manual transmission may also slip out of gear. When this happens, the transmission goes into neutral and you lose engine power.
Grinding or Squeaking
Another sign that the gear shifts are becoming difficult is grinding gears every time you shift them. This points to the power remaining with the engine rather than transferring to the transmission. Your clutch may also start to make squeaking noises if it needs to be serviced or replaced.
Higher Catch Point
Aside from making noise, the clutch can also change the catch point if it is going bad. In most cases, this point will get higher than it was before. This is the point at which you shift the gears.
Sponginess or Softness
Finally, a bad clutch will feel spongy or soft underneath your foot. In severe cases, you may end up with a clutch that sinks to the floorboard and never catches.
Twin City Automotive in Winston-Salem, NC, is here to help, so call us today to schedule an appointment for a clutch inspection.
