Being kind to your clutch can save you a packet

Any learner driver understands the frustrations of clutch control in a manual vehicle.

Mastering this is, however, essential to becoming a capable driver and passing your driver’s test and it is also an important part of keeping your clutch in good condition.

Dewald Ranft, the chairperson of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), confirmed that apart from the quality of the installation, incorrect clutch control is the most common cause of a clutch burning out.

Other variables that play a role in the life expectancy of a clutch are general levels of vehicle maintenance, road conditions and the vehicle’s normal labour load.

“This is why some people need clutch replacements after only a few thousand kilometres, while others drive with the same original clutch in their vehicle for 10 or even 20 years,” said Ranft.

He explained that the clutch connects and disconnects the power from your engine to your wheels via the gearbox. When you press down on the clutch, it disengages the engine from your wheels.

This allows you to change gears. In other words, you can’t change gears when the clutch is raised. Unless you’re in neutral, when you raise the clutch, it engages the power.

“Clutch control is about mastering this power transfer. “It is particularly important for maintaining control of the car at low speeds. “It allows you to do several things, such as changing gear, pulling off and driving in slow-moving, stop-start traffic.

“The clutch is subjected to constant friction, so it will wear out eventually. “How long your car drives without having to replace the clutch depends entirely on the way you drive,” Ranft said.

Ten tips from MIWA to help prolong the life of your clutch:

• Never regulate the vehicle’s speed in heavy traffic conditions using clutch control. Instead, apply the park brake at traffic lights and select neutral until it’s time to pull off.

• Don’t press the clutch pedal unnecessarily while driving or when the vehicle is stationary.

• Allow the vehicle to warm up (reach normal operating temperature) before applying an aggressive load to the driveline.

• Keep the vehicle’s revs per minute (rpm) as low as possible and the slip-time as short as possible when you pull off from a standstill.

• Never pull off in a higher gear than first gear.

• Do not overload. Avoid pulling heavy trailers.

• Avoid launching the vehicle uphill or in muddy conditions if possible.

• Maintain the condition of the hydraulic fluid by visiting your local MIWA workshop and filling up with the correct specified fluid according to the original equipment (OE) manufacturer.

• Have the hydraulic system bled properly when gears are starting to grate during gear changes and have the system flushed every 40 000km.

• Only fit OE or quality aftermarket clutches.

“There is a lot motorists can do to care for their car’s clutch, including not skipping services. “A burnt-out clutch can be very costly, depending on the vehicle type and availability of parts.

“The best way to avoid expensive repairs is to understand how a clutch works and learn to be kind to your clutch from the time you start driving. “Any clutch inspections or repairs should be carried out at a MIWA-accredited workshop,” Ranft concluded.