How does my clutch work?
The clutch sends engine power to the gearbox, and allows the transmission to be interrupted when a gear is selected, or when gears are changed whilst the car is moving.
How do I know if my clutch needs replacing?
If over time, you notice that your biting point gets gradually higher, this could be a symptom of a clutch getting worn. As time goes on your clutch could eventually ‘slip’ and/or fail, meaning the gears will not engage and you will lose drive. If the engine revs ‘flare’ and rise under load, or the gears simply become harder to engage, these could be signs that the clutch is failing.
One way to avoid your clutch failing prematurely, is by avoiding ‘coasting’. Coasting occurs when you drive with your foot down on the clutch at all times, meaning you have no control over the vehicle.
Why should I have my clutch checked out?
Failure to change gears when driving can cause the vehicle to break down. In some instances you may be unable to pull over safely from traffic, which could cause road safety problems to you and other road users. If you’re concerned, pop into any of our autocentres and our team will take a look for you, and carry out any necessary repairs.
How long does it take to repair?
This varies depending on the vehicle. On some vehicles, a clutch repair can be carried out within an hour, in others it could take several hours. Due to the complexities of these repairs, we would advise you to leave the vehicle with us for the best part of a day.