Used Cars Sales Finance Garage Services Dealerships Careers When should you replace your clutch? If you feel your car's clutch slipping, get it replaced at Sixers Group, Isle of Wight, call us now on 01983 532200 HomeNew Clutch | Isle of Wight ShareTweet When should you replace your clutch? Your clutch should smoothly release in both directions. If you feel it slipping, or the peddle is harder to press down than normal, maybe it is not releasing as easily as it used to or there is a sort of grinding noise then this indicates it is time to get your clutch looked at as it may need replacing. Here at Sixers Group we have expert mechanics who can check and diagnose any clutch related issues and provide you a FREE no obligation quote if any problems are found. There could be several other issues that could cause clutch related symptoms, our experts will thoroughly check all of these during the inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts, potentially saving you a lot money. Book in to one of our garages Carisbrooke Garage Newport (01983) 532200 or York Avenue Garage East Cowes (01983) 290028. What does the clutch do? The clutch is a mechanical device which transfers the rotational power from the engine to the wheels. It connects two or more rotating shafts, usually the shaft from the engine to the shaft which turns the wheels. It is a vital part of the car´s working machinery as the engine generates power all the time, and has parts which are constantly rotating, but the wheels are not constantly spinning. To allow the car to both change speed and to come to a complete stop without turning off the engine, the connection between the wheels and the engine needs to be temporarily broken. The two main parts of your clutch are the clutch plate and the flywheel. If your foot is not pressing down on the clutch pedal, there are a set of springs which keep a pressure plate pushed up against the clutch plate. This connects the engine to the shaft which transfers motion to the wheels and makes them turn at the same time. When your foot pushes down on the clutch pedal, it pulls the pressure plate away from the clutch plate. This breaks the connection between the engine and the wheels which means the wheels will continue to spin under their own momentum. As the wheels are disengaged from the engine you are able to change gear giving you greater amount of control over the speed of your car. How to prolong the life of your clutch The clutch is subjected to constant friction and so it will wear out eventually. To avoid having to replace it more often, here are a few things to remember Put your vehicle into neutral when stopped - Waiting at traffic lights or junctions with the clutch peddle pressed, first gear engaged and your foot on the brake can put unnecessary strain on the clutch. It is much better to put the car in neutral if you are going to be stopped for any length of time and use the handbrake Don't ride the clutch - Keeping the clutch partially pressed puts pressure against the clutch plate but doesn't engage it fully which will create more friction, wearing out the clutch faster. Keep your foot away from the clutch unless changing gear and don't partially press the clutch when slowing down for example at traffic lights or going round concerns Use your handbrake when parking - Leaving your car parked in gear can put strain on the clutch even when the engine is switched off. Change gear quickly - Don't take your time when changing gears. This is something we usually do sometimes when we start learning driving. As we get more experienced as drivers, remember that the longer the clutch is pressed the more strain it puts on the clutch. It may only be a few seconds extra but as we change gears a lot while driving, especially round towns and villages, this can add up Only change gear when necessary - Look ahead and think about potential encounters further down the road so you can maintain a constant speed rather than accelerating and braking which may require multiple gear changes. This will also help the life of your brakes For more information about clutch replacement, call Sixers Group on (01983) 532200 Copyright © Sixers Group 2021 After Care Swipe and Drive Terms Privacy Policy About Us Careers © Sixers Group. All Rights Reserved. All major cards accepted COOKIE NOTICE We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Only essential cookies are enabled at this time. If you click 'Enable Cookies' or close this notice, we'll assume that you are happy to enable all cookies. Read the cookie policy to learn more about the cookies we use and to change your cookie preferences now or in the future. Enable CookiesCookie Policy x