Are You Driving Around With A Compromised Clutch?
When it comes to vehicle repairs, there are typically some telltale signs that you could look out for before your vehicle suffers from a complete breakdown. One of the most important components of your car is the clutch. This component functions to regulate power in the engine as well as the transmission of your vehicle. If the clutch is not functioning at optimum, you will start experiencing problems when attempting to change gears while driving. Clutch problems could also impede on your ability to accelerate. The good news is that if you catch clutch repairs early, you can have the fixed before further damage is wreaked to the internal components of your car. Here are signs that you could be driving around with a compromised clutch.
The gears of your vehicle keep slipping when driving
One of the most common signs of impending clutch repairs are gears that keep slipping. When you are driving and your transmission slips, your vehicle will start lurching or jerking forward. If you are experiencing this, chances are that your car's clutch plate has become worn out and would require replacement by an auto mechanic. This should be done as soon as possible so as to prevent further damage while driving. It should be noted though that slipping gears could also be caused by an excess of lubricant, which will happen is there is an oil leak in close proximity to the clutch plate. This would also have to be remedied quickly.
The clutch keeps sticking when driving your vehicle
Another sign to be wary of when driving is when you push down on the clutch while driving and it feels like it is sticking to the floor. Typically, once you stop applying pressure on the clutch, it is supposed to spring back into place. When this does not occur, it could be indicative of an underlying problem with the clutch's hydraulic linkage. In some cases, you may find that this hydraulic linkage may need a simple adjustment by a mechanic. However, in other cases the problem may be causes by leaking hydraulic fluid. In which case, the mechanic would have to replace the clutch linkage to stop this problem from occurring.
You smell burning when driving your vehicle
If you catch a whiff of burning as you drive, it usually means there is a mechanical problem with your manual transmission. Typically, this will be indicative of friction in the components comprising the clutch and it would be prudent to have it replaced before it causes overheating in other parts of your vehicle.