Many drivers take the car clutch in their vehicles for granted. It is the only thing they use every time they want to change gear. But it is essential to keep in mind that the clutch is used as much as the steering wheel or wheels themselves.
If any of the above becomes loose or gets worn out, you go for a replacement; the same attitude applies to the clutch. You need to go for auto care services to repair the clutch if you notice any problems.
Importance of Clutch
The clutch that is present in your car is a device that is used for multiple purposes. It would help if you stopped power transmission to the driveshaft to change gears. It also prevents the engine from stalling when you are in gear at a slow speed.
It also functions as a brake for slowing down the car engine during engine braking. The clutch system needs proper use and care with so many functions under its belt.
Tips and Techniques to Make a Car Clutch Last For a Long Time
Some ways by which you can make a car clutch last for a long time are as follows:
● Never slow down with the brake and the clutch simultaneously
One of the commonly observed bad habits is that people press the clutch pedals and the brake at the same time while braking. This does not only cause unnecessary clutch use, but you also sacrifice a lot of braking force by giving a lesser load to the engine.
So when you need to slow down, you only need to use the clutch when it is required to shift gears. Keeping the clutch pressed simultaneously while braking could lessen the chances of slowing down and possibly cause an accident.
● Never rest your foot on the car clutch
Many people have the bad habit of resting their feet on the clutch pedal. This is a bad habit as even the slightest effort could result in a compressed pressure plate.
This could, in turn, make the friction plates touch each other and cause problems. So while using a clutch, never use it as a footrest. The clutch pedal should either be fully pressed or left untouched.
This is a straightforward method to ensure your clutch lasts longer. Even after that, if you keep resting your foot on the clutch, clutch repair might await you shortly.
● Use the handbrake on inclines and not the clutch
When you come to a dead stop while being on an incline and want to move forward, you might think about what to do next. An essential thing to remember is not to use the force of the clutch to keep the car in position.
By doing this, you will lack the juice to move forward without jerks, and you also put quite a load on the clutch. Instead, you require to take your foot off the brakes and slightly increase the RPM while releasing the clutch/handbrake.
It would help if you also enhanced the throttle at the same time. This technique might sound complex, but you will become accustomed to it with practice.
● Race launches can be fun but also harmful
Even if you do not have a promising career in F1, building up the RPM and dumping the clutch could be fun. If you have an excellent sporty car and above-average driving skills and are the only person on the road, the temptation could be real.
But it sounds like fun; launching your car could put a lot of stress on the clutch. Going to the 4000-5000 RPM range with the clutch fully pressed itself could cause a lot of harm to the entire clutch system.
Releasing all the force in a moment causes damage to the pressure plates and the input shaft that goes to the gear.
When moving from a signal, you need to keep the RPM low above the stalling point. You need to gradually remove your foot off the clutch and not in a hurried manner.
But if you think you have enough money to go for frequent car clutch repairs, then you might indulge in some fun. But again, you always need to do it safely without causing accidents to yourself or others.
● Avoid engine braking
Another tip on making your car clutch last longer also involves the topic of engine braking. Many people use engine braking to slow their cars down. While it is helpful in many situations, it could minimise the life of the clutch.
· Engine braking, unless appropriately done with the appropriate level of rev-matching, could slowly destroy your clutch. A clutch has more use on motorcycles, but for cars, the braking force of the wheels and the kerb weight is enough to slow you down.
· You can use engine braking in some specific situations. For instance, engine braking can be used if you are driving on a downward slope and you feel that the brake could cause you to skid out.
But in general terms, you need to rely more on your brakes on normal roads. You have to remember that brake pads are more affordable than entire clutch assemblies. You would like to avoid going to clutch repair centres for this mistake.
● Always slow down well before the traffic stops due to a red light
There might be chances that there will be no need to stop by the time you reach the red light, as the light has already turned green. This indicates that you need to drop the clutch on a ceasing engine to avoid slipping.
Final Words
A car clutch might not seem very important for you, but you need to take care of it to ensure that you don’t have to go frequently to an auto mechanic shop. The functions of a car clutch make it evident that you have to spend a lot of money to repair it.
Taking care of the clutch will lessen the chances of going for repair. But if your clutch needs repair, you should take it to the top auto mechanic shop.