The clutch is a very important part of your vehicle. It separates the engine from the wheels and allows you to change gear and come to a complete stop whilst the engine is still running. It is important you notice faults with the clutch system earlier to prevent further damage to the rest of your vehicle.
How does the clutch work?
There are 3 elements to the clutch: The clutch plate, the pressure plate and the flywheel. When you press your foot down on the clutch pedal the three elements all pull away from each other and disconnect the transmission so that you can smoothly change gear. When you take your foot off the clutch pedal all the elements tighten together and secure the transmission in gear.
How long should it last?
There are many factors which affect how long your clutch will last. You can hear of clutches lasting over 100,000 miles, but then others may wear down before they even reach 30,000 miles. This all varies dependant on your vehicle and how you drive.
For example if you do a lot of gear changes during your journeys, the clutch will inevitably last less time.
When you are stopping at lights for example, take your vehicle out of gear and rest in neutral until it’s time to move off.
The signs to watch out for
If your clutch needs repairing, you may notice one or more of these signs:
- Spongy/sticking/vibrating/loose when you press the clutch down
- Squeaking or grumbling when you press down on the clutch
- But acceleration but able to rev the engine
- Finding it hard to change gear
- ‘Slipping’ clutch causing loss of acceleration
If you require new clutch or transmission parts for your ford car/ vehicle, take a look on Ford Parts UK to get the best prices available.
