Driving a manual transmission is a lot of fun. You feel more in control of your automobile because you determine the right time to shift gears. JTR Repair is a full-service auto shop and we work on transmissions, both manual and automatic. This means we can help you if your clutch needs to be adjusted or replaced. Here are signs that your clutch is having problems.
1. Burning Odors
When you first started learning how to drive an automobile with a clutch, you likely overheated it and could smell it burning. Once you got the hang of it, however, the burning odors dissipated. If you are smelling burning odors again, this is a sign that your clutch is slipping, i.e, it’s not staying engaged, and it needs to be adjusted or replaced. The internal mechanisms of the clutch have worn out and this is why the clutch is slipping.
2. Gear/Clutch Slippage
A slipping clutch can make your gears slip out of gear and you will end up in neutral while you are driving. A bad clutch can also make it difficult to get your vehicle to go into first gear or reverse. Finally, you may need to replace your clutch if it is not allowing you to shift through the gear cycle as you drive along. All of these things point to a problem with the clutch that needs to be addressed.
3. Grumbling/Squeaking Noises
If you hear grumbling or grinding when you shift gears, your clutch is slipping and not staying engaged. If you hear squeaking noises when you press down on the clutch, there are some internal parts that need to be replaced. Your clutch should be silent and your gear shifts smooth. If this isn’t the case, bring your vehicle to our shop for a clutch inspection.
4. Problems Accelerating
When you press down on the clutch, the power is shifted from the engine to the transmission. The transmission uses this power to turn the driveshaft which, in turn, rotates the wheels. If this power shift is not happening because the clutch is going out, you will have difficulty picking up speed because your vehicle will not go into gear.
5. Spongy or Soft Clutch
Finally, how your clutch feels underneath your foot shouldn’t change. It should always give you the same amount of resistance. A worn out clutch will feel soft or spongy. This is a sign that your clutch needs immediate attention.
Call JTR Repair in Crawfordsville, IN, today if you are having problems with your vehicle’s clutch. We’d be happy to inspect it and recommend the best way to resolve the problem.