How Many Miles Will I Get Out of the Factory Clutch?
It’s hard to lock down the exact mileage you will get out of the factory clutch because it depends on the quality of the clutch and how you drive your automobile. This being said, Total Auto Care advises that the clutch usually lasts between 50,000 miles and 100,000 miles. If you take care of the clutch and are easy on it, you will get more mileage out of it. Let’s talk about the signs that your clutch is going bad below so you know what to look for with your automobile.
A Squishy Clutch Pedal
One of the first things you may notice is changes in how the clutch feels. If it gets soft or squishy, it is going bad. It may also start to sink to the floorboard without catching or it may get hard to depress. Any changes in how the clutch feels underneath your foot need to be addressed right away.
Acceleration Hesitation
Another sign that your clutch needs to be replaced is if your vehicle hesitates to accelerate when you release the clutch. This is an indication that the clutch is no longer able to transfer the engine’s power to the transmission so it can turn the drivetrain.
An Overheating Clutch
Your clutch may also overheat if it is going out. When this happens, it is slipping out of engagement and you will smell burning odors coming from the clutch. Bring your vehicle to our shop right away if your clutch smells hot and your acceleration is hesitating.
Grinding Gears/Squeaking
Another sign that the clutch is slipping out of engagement is if you grind the gears when you shift them. The gear shifts should be smooth and silent. If your transmission is making noises when you shift the gears, the clutch is most likely disengaging. The clutch can also start to squeak when you use it. This means it needs immediate attention.
Higher Catch Point
Sometimes, when the clutch is going bad, the catch point will get higher. This means the place at which you shift the gears will get higher when you press down on the clutch pedal. This is an indication that the clutch needs to be adjusted at a minimum.
Problems Shifting Gears
Finally, if your clutch is going bad, you will have problems shifting through the manual transmissions gear cycle. The transmission may also slip out of gear by itself.Call Total Auto Care in North Branch, MN, today to schedule an appointment for your automobile if your clutch is going bad.