It’s inevitable that your clutch will sustain significant wear and tear over the years, so at some point you may have to get it repaired or replaced. However, this deterioration can be sped up substantially by poor driving habits.
Here are 5 bad driving habits to avoid if you want to prolong the life of your clutch:
Riding The Clutch
Riding the clutch is something almost every driver is guilty of. This harmful driving habit usually happens when crawling in traffic. When your clutch isn’t all the way down or all the way up, this means you are ‘riding it’. Whilst this is unavoidable at times, you want to ensure you engage the clutch smoothly when changing gear and bring it all the way up as you start moving.
Therefore, if you are stuck in traffic, wait until the traffic begins moving before setting off instead of edging closer to the vehicle in front of you.
Incorrect Hill Starts
If you’ve ever noticed a funny burning smell or noise after a hill start, chances are that your clutch is burning. Often drivers will rev hard whilst riding the clutch to avoid rolling back whilst doing a hill start, but this technique can seriously damage your clutch.
Instead, when carrying out a hill start, engage your handbrake before finding your clutch's ‘biting point’ and engage slightly more revs than usual. Once you feel the car pull forwards slightly, disengage your handbrake, release your clutch slowly and apply adequate revs to carry you up the hill.
Not Having Your Car Serviced Routinely
The most common cause of clutch damage or any damage to vehicles we come across is skipping regular servicing and putting off repairs. Catching signs of damage early ensures that you aren’t hit with costly repairs down the line.
Changing Gear Incorrectly
Whether you’re new to driving or have simply switched vehicle types, some drivers find it hard to change gear quickly and smoothly. This makes for a bumpy ride and can damage your clutch and gearbox. Therefore it’s important to be decisive when changing gear - this will make the whole process a lot smoother.
Driving On A Damaged Clutch
If you continue to drive on a damaged 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.
If your clutch is damaged, you may need to have it replaced. This is a relatively simple process that can be done by a qualified mechanic or clutch specialist. Here at Gearbox Specialist, our experienced team of vehicle mechanics and engineers are always happy to help. Whether you’re in need of clutch repairs or clutch replacement, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to discuss your requirements.
