When is the Right Time to Change the Car Clutch Disc?
Car maintenance should not only focus on the engine and exterior. The car clutch also requires maintenance, considering its vital function.
The car clutch is the bridge that connects the power and the car's transmission. If the clutch has problems, the car's performance will certainly weaken and lack power. The most common issue with car clutch pads is that they start to wear out or become depleted. Similar to brake pads, as the usage age increases, the clutch pads also wear out quickly.
The clutch pads are shaped like ceramic-coated discs and have a somewhat rough surface. This texture prevents the clutch pads from slipping when receiving rotation from the car's engine.
Worn clutch pads can be seen by the thinning of the outer layer of the disc, which is ceramic. If this layer starts to thin, the car's performance can decline, and if not replaced promptly, it can trigger more severe damage to the car. So, when is the right time to replace the car clutch pads?
Actually, the answer to that question is "it depends." Why is that? Because the lifespan and durability of car clutch pads can be influenced by several factors.
As explained above, the main factor is the age of the car's usage. Logically, the more often the car is used, the faster the clutch pads will wear out.
There are also several other factors that can cause car clutch pads to wear out quickly. For example, the driving style, the quality of the clutch pads, the steepness of the terrain traveled, and the mileage indicator.
For the last factor, many suggest that clutch pads should be replaced every 30,000 kilometers or 50,000 kilometers. This distance has certainly been calculated based on the average durability of car clutch pads.
Regardless of all that, you can easily know when the right time to replace the car clutch pads is if you experience the following symptoms.
Signs that the clutch pads need to be replaced
1. The engine starts to rev
A revving engine means that just pressing the clutch slightly causes the engine to roar. If the clutch pads start to wear out, the car's engine can easily slip.
2. A burnt smell appears
This sign is the easiest to detect, which is a smell like burning or charred that can be smelled inside the car cabin. This condition is caused by friction occurring on the flywheel and pressure plate, causing the worn clutch pads to heat up or even burn.
3. The gear shift feels heavy
In normal conditions, shifting gears should feel easy. However, if the clutch pads are worn out, the gear shift feels heavier. Worn clutch pads will cause the engine to keep spinning. This rotation triggers the transmission to become difficult to engage.
4. The clutch pedal is higher
The clutch pedal will feel higher if the pads are starting to thin. As a result, the pedal's stroke distance becomes shorter. Driving also becomes uncomfortable.
5. The car's performance decreases
Worn clutch pads can cause the car's performance to decline. When the gas pedal is pressed, the car's speed does not meet expectations. This is due to the gear shift transmission not being transmitted properly.
In some cases, worn clutch pads can even cause the car not to move, even when the engine is running. This can certainly endanger safety while driving.
So, what are some answers to the question of when is the right time to replace the car clutch pads? Hopefully, this review can enhance your knowledge about automotive matters and make you more aware of the condition of your beloved car.
Author: Dinno Baskoro
