Gently does it with that clutch!
One of the most challenging skills for learner drivers to master, is clutch control.
It is an important skill, because its abuse will be costly.
Dewald Ranft, chairperson of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation, confirmed that apart from the quality of the installation, incorrect clutch control is the most common cause of a clutch burning out.
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 gear.
“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 a number of things, such as change gear, pull off and drive in slow-moving, stop-start traffic,” Ranft said.
“The clutch is subjected to constant friction, so it will wear out eventually.”
Ranft suggested 11 tips to extend the lifespan of your vehicle’s clutch:
1. Never regulate the vehicle’s speed in heavy traffic conditions by means of clutch control. Instead, apply the park brake at traffic lights and select neutral until it is time to pull off.
2. Do not press the clutch pedal unnecessarily while driving or when the vehicle is stationary.
3. Allow the vehicle to warm up (reach normal operating temperature) before applying aggressive load to the driveline.
4. 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.
5. Never pull off in a higher gear than first gear.
6. Do not overload and avoid pulling heavier loads than what your vehicle has been designed for.
7. Avoid launching the vehicle on an uphill or in muddy conditions if possible.
8. 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 manufacturer (OEM).
9. Have the hydraulic system bled properly when gears are starting to grate during gear changes, and have the system flushed every 40 000km.
10. Only fit OEM or quality aftermarket clutches.
11. Do not use your clutch as a handbrake against an uphill or incline – use the handbrake.
“The best way to avoid expensive repairs is to understand how a clutch works and learn to be kind to yours from the time you start driving. Any clutch inspections or repairs should be carried out at a MIWA-accredited workshop,” concluded Raft.
Source: Cathy Findley PR
