European automobiles are known for their performance. They are amazing machines to drive, especially if you have one with a manual transmission. Eurotech Auto Service & Repair advises that if well cared for, you can expect to get about 100,000 miles out of your clutch before it needs to be replaced. If you notice any of the following symptoms of a bad clutch, you may need to have it replaced now.
Acceleration/Engine Hesitation
Your acceleration and engine will hesitate if the clutch is going bad. This is because the power transfer from the engine to the driveshaft isn’t happening as it should be. You’ll notice your acceleration lag when you start from a dead stop and your engine hesitate as you shift through the gear cycle.
Difficulty Changing Gears/Slippage
A dying clutch will also make it much harder to shift gears. You will fight to get your automobile into gear and then fight to shift through the cycle. In severe cases, your engine might slip out of gear once it is in gear and you’ll end up losing engine power and forward motion.
Grinding the Gears When Shifting
The reason why your gears don’t grind when you shift them is that the power is cut from the engine when you press down on the clutch. If you start grinding gears even though you’re a seasoned expert at driving your manual transmission, your clutch is not disengaging the power from the engine.
Higher Bite/Catch Point
The bite or catch point can also change on a dying clutch. This is the point where the engine disengages and you shift gears. Usually, the bite point gets higher when the clutch is going out. This is an odd phenomenon that might be able to be resolved by adjusting the clutch if it’s still doing fairly well.
Hot, Burning Odors From the Clutch
You may also notice hot and/or burning odors coming from your clutch while you use it. This is an indication that the clutch is slipping, so your vehicle may grind gears or slip out of gear, as well. Anything that smells hot should be addressed right away to avoid the danger of a vehicle fire.
Sponginess Underneath Your Foot
Finally, the resistance the clutch gives you will change if it is going out. Your clutch will start to feel spongy or soft underneath your foot. This is a sign that the clutch has reached the end of its life and needs to be replaced. The sooner the better to avoid transmission damage.
We can replace your European automobile’s clutch here at Eurotech Auto Service & Repair in Fort Myers, FL. Call us today to set up an appointment.