If your import is a manual transmission, you probably have a lot of fun driving it. There are many advantages that come with driving a manual transmission, and one of those things is that the clutch can last well over 100,000 miles if you take care of it. Uptown Imports lists the signs of a bad clutch below, one of which is grinding gears. Bring your vehicle to our shop at the first sign of trouble.
A Burning Smell Coming From the Clutch
You should never smell hot odors coming from the clutch. You might when you first learned how to drive a manual transmission, but after that, everything should be odor free. If you smell burning odors coming from your clutch, the internal mechanisms have worn down and the clutch is slipping. Sometimes, the problem can be resolved with an adjustment.
A High Catch/Bite Point in the Clutch
You will also notice a difference in the catch or bite point in your clutch when it is wearing down. In most cases, this point will get higher than normal. Again, we may be able to adjust your clutch to resolve the problem, but if there is internal damage, we will need to replace the clutch.
A Spongy Feeling Underneath Your Foot
Your clutch should not feel spongy underneath your foot. It shouldn’t feel soft, either, and you should always be able to feel the catch point. If there are any changes in how your clutch resists your foot’s pressure, it’s important to have the clutch inspected to make sure everything is okay.
Grinding Noises When You Shift Gears
As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, if you hear grinding noises when you shift gears, your clutch is failing. The clutch is responsible for power transfer between the engine and the transmission. If your clutch is not engaging and disengaging properly, the power transfer will fail and your gears will grind.
Hesitation When You Release the Clutch
You may also notice that your vehicle hesitates to pick up speed when you release the clutch. This, too, is a sign that your clutch is slipping. The power should be re-engaged in the engine immediately upon the clutch release.
Problems With the Gear Shifting
Finally, if you can’t get your vehicle to go into gear or you are having problems shifting it through the gear cycle, this points to the clutch.
Uptown Imports in Minneapolis, MN, would be happy to inspect your import’s clutch if you are having problems with it. Give us a call today.