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The clutch is an important component in your car that connects two or more rotating shafts, such as the shaft coming from the engine and the shaft that rotates the wheels of a car. This connection is vital, because it allows components in the engine to spin and rotate at a different speed than your wheels. This occurs when your car is stopped at a traffic light or if your car is in park. Without the clutch, your wheels would constantly be turning any time the engine is turned on. If you don’t have a properly functioning clutch then driving your car will prove impossible.

The clutch in a manual transmission is controlled by the driver. It is a third pedal on the floorboard on the driver's side. The clutch in an automatic transmission is automated by an onboard computer for your convenience. In this article, we are mostly focused on a manual clutch system.

It’s important to recognize symptoms of clutch malfunction so that you can catch this problem before the clutch malfunctions completely, causing your car to be undriveable.

●        a slipping clutch

●        clutch feels soft while pressing

●        trouble shifting gears

●        noise when pressing the clutch

●        clutch pedal feels stiff

●        clutch pedal stays on the floor

Reasons for a Malfunctioning Clutch

There are several ways that you can preserve the life of your clutch. None of these take a lot of sacrifice, simply some discipline. If you remember to do these things, you can prolong the life of your clutch and save money on repair bills:

• Don’t ride your clutch: This is a common theme with drivers who are new to driving a stick shift or manual car. It means that the driver is applying constant pressure to the clutch pedal, even when not shifting gears. This constant pressure will cause friction in the clutch gears and result in them burning out faster than normal.
• Shift gears quickly: This is another common problem in young or new manual transmission drivers. An easy rule to remember is that the longer the clutch pedal is engaged, the quicker they will wear out. Every time you push the pedal and create friction, the clutch wears out a little bit more. Therefore, the least amount of time you spend on the clutch, the longer it will survive. This doesn’t mean that you should shift infrequently, as that will create a whole new set of problems. Simply be quick and safe when you decide to shift gears but don't rest your foot on the pedal for comfort's sake.
• Sit in neutral when immobile: Sitting in first gear with the clutch engaged will definitely put unnecessary strain on your clutch. It would be much better to put the car into neutral if you are stopped for long periods of time and use your other foot on the brake.
• Use the handbrake when parking: Using the handbrake saves the clutch in the same way that putting your car in neutral does. It means that you are not putting unnecessary strain on the clutch, giving it a longer lifespan.
• Be decisive when changing gears: In the same way that you should shift gears smoothly but quickly, you should be decisive when shifting as well. Once again, young drivers struggle with this practice. Knowing the correct time to shift gears is a practice that gets easier the longer you drive.

Huron Automotive: We Repair, Replace, and Prolong the Life of Your Clutch

Huron Automotive is here for you! We have been serving the Green Bay, Wisconsin area since 2010 and have sealed our spot in the community as the top automotive shop in the area. For high quality service that is not going to break the bank, Huron Automotive is the place for you.

We offer a 24-hour drop off at both of our Green Bay locations, because we all know that 9-5 just isn’t possible for everyone. Here at Huron Automotive, we are dedicated to making your car repair experience a painless procedure. We offer free WIFI and coffee and water while you wait. Give us a call today or visit our website to schedule an appointment.