We hate to be the bearers of bad news here at Cergizan’s Auto and Truck Repair, but if your car, truck, or C/SUV does any of the following, it might be time for a new clutch. For all intents and purposes, your clutch should last 100,000 miles if you drive a newer automobile. If you take it easy on the clutch, it will last longer. If you have 100,000 miles or more on your vehicle and you notice any of the following problems, your clutch is going bad and it needs to be replaced.
1. A Grumbling or Squeaking Clutch
When the clutch begins to wear down, the pedal starts to make noises. The most common noises are grumbling or squeaking. Your clutch should be silent every time you press down on and release it. If it is making strange sounds, bring your vehicle to our shop for a clutch inspection. We will find out why the clutch is making strange sounds and whether it needs to be replaced.
2. Burning Clutch Odors/Slipping
You might also notice that your clutch smells hot when you use it. You should never have burning odors coming from the clutch when you are shifting gears. This is an indication that the clutch is slipping. What this means is that the clutch initially engages but does not stay engaged. A slipping clutch generally needs to be replaced because the internal mechanisms have worn out completely.
3. A Difference in Clutch Resistance
Another sign that there is something going on inside the clutch is a difference in how much resistance the clutch gives you when you press down on it. A clutch that is dying will feel squishy underneath the foot. In some cases, the clutch may be hard to depress. Another indication of a problem is if the catch point on the clutch gets higher than normal.
4. Poor Vehicle Acceleration
Your clutch is definitely worn out if you cannot get your vehicle to accelerate after you release the clutch. Normally, this is the point at which the vehicle picks up speed. If your vehicle fails to do so, this is an indication that the clutch was unable to transfer the power back to the engine.
5. Slipping Gears/Problems Shifting
Finally, this may seem obvious, but if you are having difficulties shifting the gears, or if the gears are slipping out of gear, there’s a problem with your clutch. When the problem has reached this degree, there is a very strong chance that your clutch will need to be replaced.
Call Cergizan’s Auto and Truck Repair in Chesterton, IN, today if any of the issues listed above sound familiar. We will inspect your clutch and give you a detailed estimate of the repairs.