Repco, an Australian parts producer, says that clutches are critical components of a car while emphasising details on how clutches work. But why? Because a car with a manual gearbox depends on the clutch for a smooth and enjoyable drive.
However, it is your driving skills that will decide the longevity of your car clutch. We often don’t realise that some of our bad habits unintentionally destroy our car clutch.
But you must first understand how a car clutch works to move on to the habits that may destroy them. This blog post will focus on how car clutches work and the regular habits that may destroy your clutch and compel you to visit a car brake specialist in Perth.
Car Clutch Working Process
The clutch enables the engine to shift power to the gearbox. Then, it transfers it to the wheels of the car. So, turn the ignition key to ‘ON’ when the gear stick is in the neutral position.
At this stage, the car activates its engine and does not require to be started. But why does this happen? The reason for this is that the engine power is not transferred to the transmission system; this means that the energies involved are not of mechanical origin.
There is no gear engaged to transfer that power, so even when we press the accelerator, the car does not move. Similar things happen when the clutch pedal is pressed while the gear is in the disengagement position. In this case, the clutch blocks the supply of power to the vehicle’s transmission system.
Now is the right time to engage the first gear of the gearbox. The clutch now engages the engine to the gearbox. However, the clutch engages fully when the clutch pedal is released. This means that the car’s engine and the gearbox are connected, and the wheels rotate in relation to the gear.
Habits That Can Damage Your Car Clutch
Here are a few bad habits that may damage your car clutch and may necessitate you to visit a car brake specialist in Perth:
1. Incorrect Gear Shifting
One bad habit is moving before the clutch is fully released or when the clutch pedal is released without having engaged the gear. Undoubtedly, engaging in clutch-free gear shifting is a terrible technique to shift, but that’s a different story (Note: If you are involved in such actions, we really hope you have a sponsor who will cater for your repair bills).
If you do not complete your shifts prior to applying the clutch, the disc grabs and the damper springs are compressed to the point of failure. This possibly happens to the disc itself because of heat and unevenness. The clutch, at some point, will be harder to engage because the disc will wear out, warp or stick due to the broken damper spring fragments.
2. Keeping The Foot On The Clutch Pedal While Driving
Remember that the accelerator should only be depressed when starting, braking and for gear changes only. One of the unpleasant habits that most drivers tend to develop is the act of mashing the clutch with the foot. This may be so when our foot is on the pedal, and we may feel that we are not applying enough pressure.
However, this is all false. Pressure is applied to the clutch by just keeping the foot on the pedal. This results in the flywheel and the friction disc being detached. That is why we recommend that you place your foot on the “footrest” area, which is situated to the side of the clutch pedal. This assists in avoiding a situation where the clutch pedal is pressed accidentally. If not, you may soon need to get services for car clutch repairs in Perth.
3. Not Doing Rev Matching While Downshifting
Downshift can lead to sudden and unequal decrease or increase of the engine speed if there is no smooth rev match. Downshifting may cause clutch shock, resulting in the unnecessary wearing of the clutch disc.
If this happens, you should consult a general auto repair service provider. To prevent this, one must re-match by slightly opening the throttle to bring the engine speed to the lower gear before engaging the clutch.
4. Holding the Car on Inclines By Using the Clutch
Sustained use of the clutch is one way of overpressing the clutch. That’s especially true when using the clutch instead of the brakes to hold the car stationary on a grade. This habit results in early wear and clutch slippage.
You must use the brakes to keep the car stationary when on an incline, and the clutch is supposed to be depressed only when it is necessary.
5. Clutch Contamination
It’s not extremely uncommon, but it’s also not very common: Any sort of fluid, whether it is oil or anything else that comes into contact with the clutch disc, has the effect of clutch contamination, which in effect shortens the life of the clutch disc.
While a bad rear main seal is often blamed, just about any fluid can foul your clutch, including the hydraulic fluid used to operate your clutch cylinders. Grease can also get on the surface of your clutch if the installation is done improperly.
6. Modifying The Engine To Add More Power
This is more of a side-effect associated with the process of upgrading than it is a problem. If you modify your car engine, then the torque output of your engine will change the wear level of the clutch. The engine torque is inside a specific range while rating clutches. If you change that range, clutches often wear out before the end of the specified times.
As most diesel truck owners tend to modify their engines for better pull and fuel efficiency and many other features, they are more likely to face this problem. If so, then you should get an upgraded clutch kit specifically for your upgrade.
However, clutch wear is bound to be on the rise in any car model with elevated levels of horsepower. So, if you have a high-powered engine car with high HP, you should seek car service in Perth every now and then for clutch maintenance.
Additional Factors
Other factors that may lead to clutch wear include an increase in the size of tyres, a change of gear ratio, an increase in the weight of the vehicle through constant pulling or installation of commercial equipment, and towing loads without shifting to a clutch that can handle the torque capacity.
Conclusion
You can ensure a smooth, pleasurable driving experience and prolong the life of your car’s clutch by practising attentive driving and doing regular maintenance.
If you do need assistance with your clutch, SAI Auto Care is here to help. Their staff of skilled mechanics has the know-how to identify clutch issues correctly and offer first-rate replacement or repair services, putting you back on the road as soon as possible and safely.
Why Visit SAI Auto Care Shop?
Visit the SAI Auto Care Shop, the best in Australia, for satisfactory and high-quality car brake and clutch repair services.
Whether the clutch stopped working while driving or it got worn down due to some other bad habits, as mentioned above, SAI Auto Care’s car brake specialist in Perth can handle it smoothly and efficiently.
They use the best tools and technologies to service any car model. Also, they offer 24/7 car servicing for all your repair and maintenance needs. So, contact SAI Auto Care today!
FAQs
What is the lifespan of a clutch in kilometres?
The longevity of a clutch varies. It mostly depends on the car model. However, the clutch may last up to 100,000 kilometres. That’s only when you operate your car smoothly and maintain its mileage.
What is the cost of clutch replacement service in Australia?
Clutch replacement service may cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on a variety of factors. It is the level of damage and the cause of damage that influences the cost of car clutch repairs in Perth.
Is a clutch repair a difficult task?
Since the clutch component must be accessed by removing the gearbox, replacing a worn-out clutch can be a substantial task.