May 23 2021

5 Ways to Increase the Life of Your Clutch

 

If you drive a manual transmission vehicle, you know that replacing your car's clutch can be expensive. Follow these tips to increase its lifespan and save money.

The way you drive can have a significant effect on the life of your clutch. Since a new clutch can cost over $ 1,000, owners of manual transmission cars should strive to keep their clutch in good condition. While it is advisable to follow the car manufacturer's instructions for prolonging life, here are some ways to keep your clutch in good working order for an extended period of time.

 

1. Do not Ride with Your Foot on the Clutch:

This is the first rule to follow in order to prolong the life of the clutch: avoid constantly keeping your foot on the clutch.

1. The pedal must be either fully depressed or fully released. Otherwise, you will be creating additional wear and tear on an extremely expensive part of the car.

 

2. Do not Use the Clutch to Prevent the Car from Rolling Back on a Slope:

To prevent the car from rolling backwards when you start in a stop position on an incline, use the handbrake until you engage the clutch, shift into first gear, and reach about 3000 RPM.

1. Slowly release the clutch and then the handbrake while pressing the accelerator.

 

3. Reduce Your Speed at the Sight of a Red Light:

Do not continue to drive at full speed when you see a red light. Slow down ahead of time when you see stopped cars, a red light, or any other reason that would require you to stop.

1. As you merge into traffic or intersection, you may not need to stop, allowing you to gently release the clutch while preventing the clutch from slipping.

 

4. Do not Take Off from a Red Light at Full Speed:

Do not increase the rpm when starting from a stationary position! About 1100 rpm should be sufficient.

1. Avoid cranking the accelerator and slipping the clutch more than necessary.

 

5. Do not Use the Clutch to Save Your Brakes:

It is more expensive to have the clutch replaced than the brake pads. Use the clutch as intended.

1. Match the speed of your engine to that of the rear wheels for a smooth downshift.
2. Increase the RPM by slightly engaging the throttle as you release the clutch while downshifting. This will help reduce clutch wear while downshifting smoothly.

Some drivers use their heel on the brake pedal and the tip of their foot on the accelerator, applying both at the same time for a smoother downshift.

1. However, this method takes practice and should never be used while driving unless you are sufficiently experienced and comfortable with manual transmission driving.