Car Clutch: How To Maintain It?

Why Is Car Clutch Maintenance Important?

Life is the most valuable thing we have, and being ignorant of proper care of your vehicle or your vehicle’s main elements can be a threat to the same.

In a car with a manual transmission, the car clutch plate connects the shafts from the engine and shafts, turning the vehicle into the most vital car’s machinery. How you drive a car can indicate this crucial element or clutch’s longevity, due to which car clutch maintenance is critical.

Types Of Clutches: Use Of Clutch In A Car

Clutches are mainly divided into friction clutches and hydraulic clutches.

FRICTION CLUTCHES

Cone clutch

In this clutch, two conical surfaces are used to transmit torque by friction. This is commonly used in racing cars, extreme off-road vehicles and powerboats as well.

Single plate clutch

It consists of a pressure plate, clutch plate and an engine flywheel. The crankshaft of the engine is attached to the flywheel rotating with it. The clutch plate is affixed to the clutch shaft splines, and the pressure plate of the clutch fixed with the flywheel with the help of clutch springs slides onto the clutch shaft once the pedal is operated.

Multi-plate clutch

A multi-plate clutch works similarly to the single plate clutch, with only a difference of more than one plate in the clutch. More friction plates increase the friction of the surface and capacity to transmit torque, due to which it is used in heavy commercial vehicles, motorcycles etc.

DIaphragm clutch

This clutch consists of a diaphragm spring seen between the pressing of the cover and pressure plates.

Centrifugal and semi centrifugal clutches

As the name suggests, this clutch uses centrifugal force to engage the clutch. The only difference between the two is that centrifugal clutches are fully automatic, while semi- centrifugal clutches are partially automatic.

HYDRAULIC CLUTCHES

Fluid coupling

It acts as an alternative to fully or semi-automatic mechanical clutches. It functions on the fluid in centrifugal or inertial motion. It is used in marine or industrial machine drives as it is not suitable for standard gearboxes.

Electromagnetic clutch

Magnetism is applied in this type of clutch as a current activates the electromagnet, due to which the clutch engages. As soon as the electric current is deactivated, the clutch disengages.

Common problems with car clutch

As we drive our vehicles, the clutch engages and frequently disengages, due to which, with time, wear and tear is a possibility. Major problems seen with the car clutch are:

Slipping clutch: It is the most common problem seen when the clutch disk and pressure plate debilitates, causing a loss of acceleration.

Vibration in the clutch: Due to prolonged wear and tear of the pressure plate, it can press the clutch disk against the flying wheel, causing clutch chatter or vibration.

Strange odour or leakage of fluid: Hydraulic clutches are used nowadays in cars. Leakage in the master cylinder can lead to loss of hydraulic pressure, due to which hydraulic clutch maintenance or checking is important to prevent the situation from worsening.

Spongy pedals: When a slave cylinder has less fluid or old fluid, the pedals can be loose, or there can be difficulty in or out of gear.

Clutch in permanent pushed position: Faulty linkage or release bearing, leakage in the slave cylinder may cause the pedal to stay down on the floor.

Clutch Maintenance Tips: Function Of Clutch In Car

Tips that can save you from clutch issues or clutch problems are:

Change your gear gently as the longer the clutch pedal is kept downwards, the more pressure will be there on the clutch, leading to short clutch life.

Abstain from frequent unnecessary gear change by being decisive of the correct speed you should maintain according to your driving area.

Another primary reason for clutch plate problems is that some people tend to keep the clutch partially pushed while driving, due to which unnecessary friction takes place, causing wear and tear. Thus, it is essential to follow proper clutch control tips.

People often leave their car with the clutch engaged. Instead, use the handbrake with gear on neutral to avoid the clutch disc staying under strain.

Reduce the amount of heat your gear is exposed to avoid constant strain on the clutch or partially engaged clutch, leading to the clutch’s faster wear and tear.

AutoBest Emperio (ABE) ( home of used and new cars) is on a mission to make you more aware of your car’s maintenance & overall health of your vehicle through proper clutch car service & clutch repairs.