Do you want your car’s clutch to last longer?

By Max Anthony •  Updated: 12/14/20 •  3 min read

Do you want your car’s clutch to last longer? What should you not do to prevent this organ from being damaged quickly?

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As most drivers know, the clutch is, after distribution, the most important organ. This is the mechanism that connects the engine to the gearbox.

With the use that we give to our car, this organ ends up wearing out over time. However, some behaviors can increase or decrease your car’s clutch life span.

However, if it ends quickly, this is not good for your car or your wallet. We are talking about a part that is extremely expensive in itself, not only for the cost of the clutch kit, but also for the cost of replacement. To delay replacement as long as possible, the driver must adopt certain protective behaviors to this body so that it does not wear out prematurely.

What should you do or not do so that the clutch does not degrade prematurely?

Driving with your foot on the clutch

car's clutch to last longer

There are thousands of drivers who do this every day. Do not do it! Driving with your foot, permanently, on top of the clutch is just one of the behaviors that most damage the health of your clutch. Use it only to promote the gear change.

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Turn off the car with the gear engaged

car's clutch to last longer

Never switch off your car at a gear. We know that many drivers do this, particularly if they are parking in a very steep place, engaging the reverse gear with a safety assistant. But, first put the car in neutral, turn it off, and only then put the reverse gear.

Change speed gradually

car's clutch to last longer

Many drivers have a bad habit of jumping speeds. This happens very often and especially when the car is losing power and is asking for another speed. In these cases, drivers tend to skip speeds, for example, going from a fourth to a second. The correct thing is to change the speed sequentially.

Use the clutch to increase speed

car's clutch to last longer

Who does not know what it is to give a clutch kit so that the car has a momentary peak power? Well, by having this type of procedure, you are literally killing your car’s clutch.

Unnecessary clutch point

car's clutch to last longer

Another thing that drivers usually do is, when going uphill, when they are in the traffic queue, make a clutch point to immobilize the vehicle until the queue advances again. The correct thing is to put the car in neutral and engage the first gear as soon as it is to move forward.

Start up very steep and slippery uphill

car's clutch to last longer

Has it ever happened to you to start on a very steep and slippery climb, and the car starts to skid to the point of smelling of burnt clutch inside the car? When in such a situation, use the handbrake as an aid to the clutch point maneuver. Vehicles with an electric handbrake tend to have a tilt start assist system.

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Max Anthony

Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.