Manual transmission really puts you in control of a lot of power, but it comes at a price. Over time, your clutch can wear out if you aren’t getting regular care to help prevent that, and today we’re going to talk a little more about this issue.
We’ll cover the most common clutch issues, touch on how preventative maintenance can help keep your clutch working at its best, and even cover some frequently asked questions along the way
Curious about your vehicle’s clutch? Read on and we’ll tell you more about it!
While a lot of things can wear down in your clutch assembly, there are a few problems that tend to crop up the most. Below you’ll find the top three issues that we see most often with a clutch:
Typically, you want to get your clutch checked once a year, or every 20,000 miles. This can vary a bit based on your driving style, however. For instance, if the vehicle owner tends to ‘ride the clutch’ a bit then a more aggressive checkup regimen might well be a good idea.
At Louden Motorcars, we’ll pay excellent attention to your clutch and quickly get an idea of your driving style based on what we’re noticing from your regular preventative maintenance. It’s the kind of personal care that’s kept us in business for well over 40 years now.
Things like slippage, rattling, burning smells, or even a ‘spongy’ feeling clutch pedal are all signs that something serious is amiss and a good reason to visit your mechanic. One of the good things about having a manual transmission is that you really get to know your vehicle and how it should be behaving when you shift, so the odds are when there is a problem you WILL notice it right away.
The most common issue that people notice when the clutch has seen better days is slippage. You’ll go to change gears, perhaps hear a bit of rattling, and then your vehicle revs but doesn’t jump in speed because it doesn’t lock into gear.
This can happen a lot if you tend to ‘ride the clutch’, meaning that you’re not fully releasing the clutch pedal as you’re shifting, but that’s not always the case. It’s best to find out why it’s occurring, however, so you need to bring your vehicle in as soon as possible for a checkup.
‘Riding the clutch’ is probably at the top of the list when it comes to clutch failure, but ultimately clutch issues tend to boil down to the same thing – the wearing down of parts. Release bearings, friction and pressure plates, clutch discs… you’ve got a whole lot of parts working together and they’re going to wear down over time.
Fluid leaks, insufficient fluid, and lack of preventative maintenance are also common factors that lead to clutch failure, and just another good reason why regular preventative maintenance is a MUST for your vehicle.
At Louden Motorcars, we can make short work of clutch repair for your quality German vehicle and also tackle any other problem that might arise. That’s because we have over 4 decades of experience with Mercedes, Mini, BMW, and Porsche vehicles.
When German vehicles are all that you do, you tend to learn a thing or two, but don’t take our word for it. Bring your vehicle in to us some time for a checkup and you can see for yourself – Having an expert on your side not only saves you time and money, but you won’t be bringing your vehicle back again in a week with the same or some ‘new’ problem that should have been spotted already.
After all, you don’t get to stay in business for 40+ years without a good reputation, and we’ve got one of the BEST. Come and see firsthand how we’ve earned it!
Louden Motorcar Services, Inc.
11454 Reeder Road, Dallas, TX 75229
Mon To Fri: 07:30 AM – 05:30 PM
Sat - Sun: Closed
Call today for an appointment: 972-241-6326
Theresa - theresa@loudenmotorcars.com
Jon - jon@loudenmotorcars.com
