5 Symptoms of a Slipping Clutch (What It Means and How to Fix It)
If your car has a manual transmission, does it feel strange when you change gears? Have you noticed that your engine revs higher than normal before your car starts moving? A slipping clutch could be the culprit, and the situation will only get worse over time.
Knowing how to recognize the telltale symptoms of a slipping clutch early can help you head off bigger problems before they happen and avoid breakdowns on the road.
What does a slipping clutch mean? A clutch is designed to withstand a certain engine torque, usually measured in foot-pounds (lb-ft) or Newton meters (N m). A pressure plate is used to hold the clutch against the flywheel, allowing the transmission input shaft and engine to rotate at the same speed.
The clutch has friction material on both sides that grips the metal pressure plate and the surface of the flywheel. As the clutch wears out, it loses this friction material, just like brake pads.
At some point, the clutch can no longer hold the same torque as it did before. When engine torque exceeds the maximum torque the clutch can withstand, the clutch will begin to slip intermittently under heavy engine loads.
A worn clutch allows the engine to spin freely even with the clutch pedal fully released, instead of gripping the flywheel and pressure plate. This is often most noticeable in intermediate gears such as 3rd and 4th gear, and will worsen over time until the clutch is replaced.
In extreme cases, a worn clutch can cause the vehicle to lose the ability to transfer the engine’s power to the road and become powerless.
This condition is common in vehicles that are frequently driven in heavy traffic, vehicles driven by new drivers, high-performance vehicles that are driven hard, and vehicles with engines that have been upgraded far beyond factory performance. If any of these conditions apply to you, don’t be surprised if your clutch slips.
The 5 Most Common Symptoms of a Slipping Clutch
It is important to notice a slipping clutch before it causes serious problems for you and your car. You don’t want your engine to leave the driving wheels when driving at high speeds; it could cause an accident.
So, make sure you recognize the symptoms of this problem so that you can change your driving habits and fix the problem. Here are 5 common ways to tell if your clutch is slipping:
1) RPMs go up but speed doesn’t increase
An easy way to test if your clutch is slipping is to record your engine RPMs. If you press the accelerator to accelerate and your RPMs go up faster than normal while your road speed doesn’t increase as intended, your clutch may be slipping.
For example, say you’re driving on the highway and decide you need to pass a slower car. When you try to accelerate, your RPMs go up and your engine gets louder, but your car won’t go any faster. A slipping clutch is usually more noticeable when accelerating in a higher gear.
2) Burning Smell
When the clutch slips, you will notice a burning smell coming from the front of the car. This is due to the excess heat generated by the continuous engine disconnection and the slipping clutch.
The more the clutch slips, the worse the burning smell will be. You don’t want to drive with this smell in your car because it will make you sick. The more the clutch slips, the worse the condition.
3) Poor Engine Performance
The ultimate test is when you are towing a heavy load in or behind your vehicle. Normally, the engine needs to transfer a lot of power to the drive wheels.
But when the clutch slips, the engine can’t deliver that power. Then you have little to no acceleration due to a lack of engine power. You may be able to reduce the towing load a little and get a little more power, but it’s not a permanent solution.
4) Clutch pedal height difference
As you drive your car, you will have to get used to the height of the clutch pedal from the ground. When you press the pedal and release your foot, the pedal should always return to the same height as before.
If you notice that the pedal is starting to change height, whether it’s too high or too low, then you definitely have a problem with the clutch. Most of the time, it’s because the clutch is slipping. Try adjusting the clutch pedal to see if it helps, as it’s much cheaper and easier than removing the transmission for a clutch replacement.
5) Quick Disconnect (Clutch Pedal Disconnect)
The biggest symptom of a slipping clutch is a quick release of connection between the engine and the drive wheels. If the clutch is working properly, you should press the pedal about 1-2 inches before the engine disconnects.
However, with a slipping clutch, the engine will disconnect if you press the clutch pedal less than an inch. In some cases, just placing your foot on the pedal will shut off the engine.
How to repair a slipping clutch? Overheated flywheel
The surface of the flywheel after many kilometers with a defective clutch.
There is really only one solution to repair a slipping clutch: replace the clutch.
A leaking rear main seal may cause a healthy clutch to slip (because the clutch may be lubricated with engine oil), but it usually just requires replacing the clutch on the spot. In any case, the mechanic will need to remove the transmission to replace the rear main seal, and the parts cost for a clutch repair is not that high.
You should also consider updating or replacing the flywheel and pressure plate, as these parts may wear out with use. If your clutch is worn down to the rivets, excessive heat and metal-to-metal contact may have damaged the flywheel and require replacement.
What causes a clutch to slip?There are many factors that can cause your clutch to show signs of slipping, including your driving style and shifting habits. The most common causes are:
Worn clutch discs
Over time, the friction material on your clutch plates can wear out. This reduces the ability of the pulley to grip the flywheel and pressure plate, allowing the pulley to slip when torque is applied through the transmission. Allowing the clutch to slip
Keeping your foot on the clutch pedal while driving puts constant pressure on the clutch. This can cause it to overheat and slip.
Weak clutch springs
The clutch disc is held between the pressure plate and the flywheel by springs. If these springs become weak or broken, they will no longer exert enough force to prevent slipping. Starting from a standstill
How to do a burnout on an automatic car
When you try to accelerate hard from a standstill by disengaging the clutch quickly, you put a lot of strain on the clutch components. This can cause premature wear and slippage. Of course, burnouts are fun, but they also have consequences.
Low clutch fluid level
The clutch uses hydraulic fluid to connect and disconnect. Low fluid level can prevent the pressure plate from fully engaging the clutch disc. Oil Contamination
Oil or grease on the clutch disc can prevent it from gripping properly. A leaking rear main seal can allow oil to contaminate the clutch.
Overheating
Excessive heat build-up from heavy loads or a slipping clutch can cause the clutch disc material to become glossy and reduce grip.
Bad Shifting Habits
Manual Gear Shifting
Not fully depressing the clutch when shifting, shifting into the wrong gear, or releasing the clutch too early can cause the clutch to slip as it tries to match the engine and transmission speeds. Improper Downshifting
When downshifting, you need to allow the engine speed to increase to accommodate the lower gear ratio before releasing the clutch. Disengaging the clutch before the engine rpm increases will cause the clutch to slip.
Towing or Transporting Heavy Loads
Starting with the clutch on under a heavy load can cause overheating and slipping over time. The load puts additional strain on the clutch.
Preventing Future Clutch Slippage
To prevent clutch slippage on the road, you should first check your clutch fluid regularly. Be sure to top off with manufacturer-specified fluid, as low fluid levels can cause slippage.
Also, drive carefully. Avoid aggressive starts and careless shifting, which can cause premature clutch wear. Instead, press the pedal lightly and change gears consciously.
Also pay attention to maintenance. Have your mechanic check your clutch system during your routine visits. Identifying any problems early can help prevent slippage.
When the time comes, invest in a quality replacement clutch instead of opting for the cheapest option. A robust aftermarket kit will give you better grip and a longer life.