“Riding the clutch” simply refers to the act of keeping the clutch pedal partially pressed down. This pushes the pressure pad against the clutch plate but doesn't engage completely, therefore creating more friction and wearing out the clutch faster.
If the clutch on your car has burned out, it means that the car has experienced increased loads. This happened for the following reasons: you drive aggressively or get underway incorrectly when going uphill, towing a heavy trailer. Or pehaps your the owner of a Subaru Impreza and host rally driving experience days!
Stop-and-go traffic, towing heavy loads, abruptly engaging or “dumping” the clutch, and riding the clutch (keeping your foot on and halfway engaging) when decelerating are all factors that can lead to signs of clutch failure. Sprag clutch failure symptoms are easy to spot if you pay attention to your vehicle.
The friction that is created between the clutch disc, pressure plate and flywheel when the clutch engages generates heat and wear, and the more the driver “rides” the clutch pedal or lets it slip excessively, the hotter the clutch disc gets and the faster it wears.
The average lifespan of a clutch is anywhere between 20,000 to 150,000 miles. Luckily, your clutch will likely give you ample notice that something is going wrong. Don't get left at the side of the road with a vehicle that won't shift into gear.
A clutch for a manual transmission will normally the last you about 150,000 miles. It depends on your driving. If you always ride the clutch then you can wear it out in 20,000 miles. Drive like an old lady and keep your foot off the clutch when the car is moving and you are fine.
The clutch is one of the most important parts of your car – without it, you wouldn't be able to drive. Unfortunately, it is one of the most expensive pieces to repair.
Clutches tend to fail in one of two ways – either suddenly or gradually. With a sudden breakdown, the clutch ceases to work entirely and the car won't move. With gradual failure, you may experience problems such as the car not stopping when you press the pedal.
It's best to keep away from the clutch unless you actually need to change gear! In particular, don't drive round corners or slow down with the clutch partially pressed. This is a sure-fire way to reduce its lifespan unnecessarily.
The shift becomes another part of the body for the driver. Nevertheless, clutch replacement is necessary after every 40,000km to 100,000km or more, depending on various factors.
“Riding” the clutch is the most common reason for premature clutch failure. Even the slightest pressure on the pedal will partially disengage the clutch, causing the release bearing, pressure plate and flywheel to overheat.
Many drivers will do this by holding on to the clutch biting point to keep themselves steady on the incline. But, by doing this, you're burning up the friction material on your clutch disc as the clutch will be spinning at one speed while the engine's pressure plate is moving at another.
Vehicle Damage
Coasting has no real affect on the internal mechanics of your car. However, it does lead to the overuse of one clutch component in particular for manual cars: the throw out bearing. The throw out bearing is the part of the clutch system that disengages the engine while the clutch pedal is pressed.
It's a big, labour-intensive job. Just be glad the garage will do it for you, and if you need convincing, just have a look under your bonnet and ponder on how you'd get at the clutch yourself!
Driving On A Damaged Clutch
So what happens if you keep on driving with a bad clutch? Not only is it very dangerous, but it can also cause further, more serious damage to your clutch and gearbox which will be expensive to repair.
You can make it hours, days, or even weeks sometimes when your clutch just starts slipping. But if your car's clutch begins to slip when you're driving in higher gears – say, gear three and up – it's not long until it's going to leave you stranded.
Luckily, clutch failure is usually a slow process, showing signs over a long period rather than one day leaving you stranded without warning; however, clutch problems left unchecked will result in just that.
If you hear a high-pitched squeaking as you press the pedal then you know that you have a problem with your clutch. This sort of noise is usually associated with problems with the clutch release or throw-out bearings. Press the clutch pedal all the way down. Again, listen out for any unusual sounds coming from the car.
Lowest clutch replacement prices
The cost of replacing the clutch can be as low as €350 including the supply of full clutch kit, or as high as €700 and above. Let us advise you on what's best option for you and how can you save money.
The clutch should take a bit of pressure to move, and when you press down, you should be met with some resistance. If the clutch pedal feels 'spongey' or feels like you're pushing it into a block of warm butter, your clutch is likely going to need to be replaced soon.
How long does replacing a clutch take? The time it takes to replace a clutch can vary depending on the type of vehicle you have, but it's generally between two and six hours. For many, this means you could take your car into the garage in the morning and get it back the very same day!