Clutch Slipping? Signs Your Clutch Is on Its Way Out

The main signs of a worn clutch

The clearest sign of a slipping clutch is the engine revs rising when you accelerate but the car not speeding up to match, especially in a higher gear or going uphill. Other signs are a biting point that is higher than it used to be, a burning smell, juddering as you pull away, and difficulty getting into gear.

Clutches wear gradually, so the signs often creep up on you. If you notice any of them, it is worth getting the car checked before the clutch fails completely and leaves you unable to drive.

How a clutch works, simply

The clutch connects the engine to the gearbox. When you press the pedal, it separates them so you can change gear. When you lift the pedal, a friction plate is clamped between the flywheel and a pressure plate so the engine's power goes through to the wheels.

That friction plate wears a little every time you pull away or change gear, much like brake pads. Once it gets thin, it cannot grip properly, and the engine starts to spin faster than the gearbox. That is the slip you feel.

Signs to look out for in more detail

Slipping under load: try pulling away up a hill or accelerating in fourth or fifth gear. If the rev counter jumps but the speed does not follow, the clutch is slipping.

Driving style and how the car is used both play a big part in how long a clutch lasts. A car that spends most of its life in stop-start town traffic, towing, or carrying heavy loads will usually wear its clutch faster than one that does mainly steady motorway miles. So there is no fixed mileage at which a clutch needs replacing.

High biting point: if the clutch only starts to bite right at the top of the pedal travel, the friction plate may be worn. A burning smell, a bit like hot brakes, often comes from a slipping clutch, particularly after hill starts or heavy traffic.

Judder, noise and pedal feel: shuddering as you pull away, grinding when changing gear, a whining or rumbling noise that changes when you press the pedal, or a pedal that feels heavy, spongy or sticks to the floor can all point to clutch, release bearing or hydraulic problems.

The dual-mass flywheel

Many modern cars, including most diesels and plenty of petrol cars, have a dual-mass flywheel rather than a solid one. It is made of two parts joined by springs, and it smooths out engine vibrations before they reach the gearbox.

Dual-mass flywheels wear too. Signs include a rattle or knock at idle that may go away when you press the clutch, vibration through the pedal or floor, and clunking when pulling away or switching off. Because the flywheel sits right next to the clutch, it is often checked and, if worn, replaced at the same time, as it saves doing the same labour twice.

What affects the cost of a clutch replacement

Clutch replacement costs vary a lot from car to car, so it is hard to give a single figure. The biggest factor is labour, because the gearbox usually has to come out, and on some cars that is far more involved than others. Four-wheel-drive cars and some larger engines take longer.

Some cars also use a concentric slave cylinder, which sits inside the bell housing with the clutch. If it is leaking or worn, it makes sense to replace it while the gearbox is out, because it would otherwise mean taking the gearbox out all over again. Automatic gearboxes are a different case altogether, as most do not have a clutch pedal. Some automatics, such as dual-clutch gearboxes, do have clutches inside that can wear, but the symptoms and repair are quite different.

The other big factor is whether the flywheel needs replacing, especially a dual-mass one. The clutch kit itself, and whether the hydraulic parts such as the slave cylinder also need changing, make a difference too. A proper inspection is the only way to get an accurate quote for your car.

Making your clutch last, and getting it checked

Avoid resting your foot on the clutch pedal, holding the car on the clutch at junctions or on hills, and riding the clutch in slow traffic. Use the handbrake for hill starts and select neutral when you are stopped for a while. Smooth, gentle pull-aways help a clutch last much longer.

If your clutch is slipping, juddering or making noises, bring the car to MF Autocentre in Walsall. We will check the clutch and flywheel and tell you exactly what is needed before any work starts. Call 01922 636820 or book online.