Signs of a broken clutch and how to avoid wearing it out

The clutch is one of the most important components in a manual transmission car, connecting the engine to the transmission and providing power to the car. It is also one of the high wear components of a car, depending on one's driving style and driving environment.

Cars driven primarily in urban traffic congestion may experience more clutch wear than cars driven on highways or in moderate traffic conditions. Likewise, cars driven in hilly areas may experience more clutch wear than cars driven in flat areas.

How can you be sure that the problem is the clutch itself and not some other problem? We provide you with signs of clutch wear to look for while driving that need to be addressed immediately.

Signs of clutch wear

1. Smell of burning

The first symptom of a worn clutch is the unpleasant odor it produces. The friction material of the clutch disc will overheat and be worn away as it rubs against the spinning flywheel. This is because the clutch disc is not fully engaged by the pressure plate. The burning clutch odor comes from the burning friction material as it wears out.

2. Weak acceleration

If your engine is accelerating, but the vehicle does not seem to be accelerating properly, this could be a sign of a clutch problem or other type of transmission problem that you need to check as soon as possible.

3. Gear Grinding

If the gears are really grinding every time you try to shift (or shift into or out of a specific gear), there may be a problem within the clutch system. It could be that the driver is not shifting gears smoothly or keeps the clutch depressed. If the grinding persists no matter how smoothly you shift, there may be a clutch problem.

4. Won't shift gears 

Obviously, when the vehicle won't shift at all or slips between certain gears, this is a clear sign of a clutch problem or other transmission issue that needs to be addressed.

5. Won't stay in gear

This may not be a clutch problem, but it is definitely not good when your vehicle won't stay in gear while driving or slips out of gear frequently. This is unsafe and it is a common sign of transmission damage.

6. Clutch pedal feels different

When the clutch pedal feels really loose and weak (like you're stepping on it and it drops effortlessly to the floor), then this is definitely a sign of a worn clutch plate or a faulty clutch rally somewhere.

On the other hand, you may feel that your clutch pedal is a bit "sticky". It may take more effort than usual to depress the pedal, or it may stick and hold the clutch open for too long when the pedal is depressed.

7. Other noises

In addition to grinding, you may notice other strange noises when you experience clutch problems. The pedal may squeal, or you may hear squeaks and squeals every time you shift gears. Any unusual noise should be a cause for concern. Have an expert check your clutch and transmission before it causes a bigger problem.

Ways to avoid wearing out your clutch

1. Don't step on the clutch

"Pressing the clutch" is a term often used by driving instructors, but it's not always entirely clear what it means or why it's bad for your car. "Pressing the clutch" simply refers to the action of keeping the clutch pedal partially depressed. This pushes the pressure pad against the clutch plate, but does not fully engage, thus creating more friction and wearing out the clutch faster. The best way to avoid this is to keep your foot away from the clutch unless you are actually shifting gears. Don't turn with the clutch halfway down or slow down at a traffic light.

2. Shifting into neutral when stopping

Waiting at a stoplight or intersection with the clutch down, in first gear and your foot on the brake may put undue stress on the clutch. If you are going to stop for a while and use the handbrake to keep the car stationary, it is best to shift into neutral.

3. Use the handbrake when stopping

Leaving the car in gear, even with the engine off, can put pressure on the clutch. If possible, you should use the handbrake to hold your car in place while parking, rather than leaving your vehicle in gear. This will reduce the amount of pressure applied to the clutch disc when you are not driving.

4. Change gears quickly

Don't linger when shifting gears. This is a common problem when new drivers are learning how to drive a manual vehicle for the first time. It doesn't take long to change gears, and the longer you depress the clutch pedal, the more pressure the clutch will be under each time you change gears. It may only take a few seconds, but think about the number of times you change gears on an average trip and you will see how quickly this can add up over time.

5. Change gears decisively

Don't change gears multiple times. If you can see the road in the distance, try to think ahead to the obstacles you will encounter so you can try to maintain a constant speed instead of changing gears every few minutes. Remember that many of the things you do to reduce clutch usage may end up putting more stress on your brakes. One piece of advice to extend the shelf life of your clutch is to not use the transmission to slow down. Shifting to a lower gear means you use the clutch more often, but not doing so puts more stress on your brakes and wears them out more quickly. It's a good balance.

How to fix a burnt clutch

The only way to fix a burnt clutch is to replace it. Once a clutch disc is worn and possibly damaged, it cannot be repaired.

If the clutch plate is allowed to burn and slip for a period of time, the flywheel and other clutch parts may be damaged. Therefore, when replacing a burnt clutch plate, it is usually best to replace the entire clutch.