Does Your Clutch Need Replacing?

The clutch is a fundamental part of any car, van or lorry, and without its function, the vehicle would be pretty much useless. So, noticing when your clutch needs changing can be pretty important, as it saves the problem from becoming worse, which could as a result leave you stuck with an inadequate vehicle. Therefore, if ever you notice any unusual signs and think it may be time to get your clutch repaired or checked up on, you should contact an auto mechanic as soon as possible so that if there is something wrong with your clutch, you can get this diagnosed and solved immediately.

Not everybody is aware of the type of things that indicate a poor clutch, or how long they are supposed to last, so we wanted to cover a few of these things in our blog.

How often does the clutch need replacing?

This all depends on the clutch itself, and what type of car it is built into. It all tends to run of mileage, so once a car has covered so many miles, it will be time to have the clutch replaced. On average, most clutches last between 50,000 – 60,000 miles. So, it’s good to monitor your vehicle’s mileage in order to alert you to whether or not it’s time to consider getting a new clutch or seeking professional advice about it. You can generally find out how long your clutch is designed to last by enquiring about its manufacturing or looking at the vehicles documents.

Signs that it’s time to replace your clutch

Signs that you need to replace your clutch can be quite obvious. It’s basically just things that are out of the ordinary. For example, if you notice your clutch sticking occasionally, this tends to be an indicator that something isn’t quite right. Furthermore, you may also notice your gear stick doing the same when trying to change gears, and as this is linked to the clutch, it often means there is a problem somewhere. Problems can also be noticed by unusual noise coming from the clutch when you press it, such as squeaking.

What causes damage and why you must replace it

Like most things, clutches are susceptible to general wear over time, which has a knock on effect to the function and performance of it. Though it’s a guarantee that there will come a point where the clutch on a vehicle must be replaced by a new one, there are other contributing factors that can speed this up, or put it off for longer. For example, your style of driving. If your driving involves a lot of stop-start traffic, this can really take its toll on your clutch, and cause more friction so that it wears down quicker than average.

When there is a problem with your clutch, you should not ignore it. We advise seeking professional help from an auto mechanic so that they can find out if there is a problem and whether or not the clutch needs replacing. Ignoring the problem can actually be quite dangerous as it can affect your driving in the future. It takes away an element of control whilst driving your vehicle if the clutch isn’t working properly, so as soon as you notice something unusual, you must get it checked out.

For more information or if you have any enquiries, simply get in touch with us via our contact page and we will be more than happy to help and offer our advice and expertise.