The one big repair that every driver who owns a manual transmission car fears is clutch failure. It’s a big enough fear that some car owners put off clutch maintenance because they don’t want to hear bad news. Lakelands Tire & Auto understands, and has some important information for you.
Every Clutch Eventually Goes Bad
Even the best driver eventually will have a clutch go bad, that’s just the nature of something that gets as much use as a clutch does. But of course, bad habits like riding the clutch will shorten the lifespan of the clutch and related parts. Some of the other problems that wear a clutch out faster are things like lots of stop and go driving, pulling heavy items, and aggressive driving.
Slipping Always Happens, but it Gets Worse
Most drivers know that a slipping clutch isn’t great news and it’s the harbinger of needing repair. But what you might not know is that clutches by their very nature slip all the time. It’s part of how they work. But as the slipping starts to become noticeable to you during driving, that’s your indicator that the clutch needs to be inspected and possibly repaired.
Other Issues Can Affect Clutch Wear
The problem can be with the clutch itself and with the clutch just wearing out, but there can also be other problems that you might see as clutch issues. Things like leaky crankshaft seals or faulty clutch linkages can also cause issues that feel to you like a problem with the clutch. That’s why you shouldn’t be afraid to get the problem diagnosed, because it can actually be a much smaller repair.
Check Your Owner’s Manual
It’s really important to be aware of what sorts of maintenance your clutch and transmission need and what the timetables are for those services. The best source of information for all of that is always your owner’s manual, so start there. Even if you think you’re “behind” on some of that maintenance, that’s not necessarily as big a problem as you might think, especially if you’re not experiencing issues with the clutch yet.
Lakelands Tire & Auto in Greenwood, SC is happy to take a closer look at your clutch and transmission for you. We can help you to determine what might be going on and ensure that all is well. That way you can hopefully avoid a big repair that sneaks up on you unexpectedly.