The clutch in your car’s manual transmission is what helps you to shift gears seamlessly. But when that clutch starts to fail, you’ve got some big problems. North Texas Transmission offers up these ways you can spot a problem with your car’s clutch before it fails completely.
You Can’t Get the Transmission in Gear
The biggest sign that you’ve got a problem with your car’s clutch is when you can’t get the transmission into gear at all. You might find that even with the clutch fully depressed, you just cannot get the car into the right gear. That can even be a problem when you’re trying to put the transmission in reverse. If the clutch pedal feels different at all, that is a big sign, too.
The Transmission Is Engaging at a Different Spot as You Release the Clutch
There’s something referred to as the “bite point” with the clutch in a manual transmission. Right where the plates meet, that’s the bite point. As the clutch wears, you’re going to feel a difference in the bite point because the clutch pedal is going to be in a different spot than you’re used to. You’ll feel that point change more and more as the clutch continues to wear.
You’re Feeling the Transmission Slipping
Something else that you might feel when you are shifting gears is the transmission and clutch slipping. That’s when you hear the engine rev, but the transmission doesn’t respond. You might even feel the transmission jump if the situation is bad enough. Once you’re feeling the clutch slip, that’s a big sign that you need to have the entire transmission inspected.
Bad Stuff Is Happening in Other Ways
But there are other signs that there is trouble brewing in your clutch. If you’re hearing odd sounds when you depress the clutch pedal, that’s something you need to get checked out. Another common symptom of clutch issues is a burnt smell. Any time you smell something hot or burning, it’s important that you don’t ignore it because the problem could be something besides your clutch.
Are you seeing some of these signs with your car’s clutch? Don’t ignore it. Contact us today at North Texas Transmission in Arlington, TX. We’ll thoroughly inspect your transmission, including the clutch, and give you a complete rundown of what is happening. That way you’ll be able to make an educated decision about what happens next.
