Failing Clutch

Soft Clutch – What Does it Mean?

A soft clutch can be a clear sign that a replacement is in order. As your vehicle's clutch wears down, it may begin to feel soft and spongy when you press down on it. This inconsistent feeling is a sign that you should bring your vehicle into a shop to get it looked at. If your clutch is allowed to break down completely, your car eventually won't move. What Exactly Is a Soft Clutch? For those who have never heard the term, "soft clutch," before, it's simply a reference to a clutch that has been worn down to the point that it feels spongy, or soft, when you put pressure on it. Conversely, if the clutch pedal feels like it’s harder to push down, the pressure plate springs may be getting worn and it’s still a good idea to have a shop look at it. When you depress the clutch, it should have a consistent spring to it all the way down. If you're being met with little resistance [...]

By |2022-08-16T13:47:40-06:00August 16th, 2022|Car Parts, Car Questions, Car Tips & Damaged Car|0 Comments
Read More

Car Transmission 101 & Common Issues

You can have the world's most powerful engine, but without a working transmission, you and your car would not be moving anytime soon. A part of your vehicle's powertrain the transmission moves the power from the engine to your wheels. With all that responsibility, it's no wonder folks get nervous when they suspect car transmission problems. What Does a Car Transmission Do? Your car's transmission has a lot going on. Using different mechanical components, it transfers the power created in your engine to your drive axle (or axles depending on your vehicle) to propel you forward or backward. Controlling Power and Speed Gear ratios determined automatically or manually dictate the amount of power transferred as well as the speed. Lower gears transfer more power, but less speed. With higher gears, less energy is transferred as the vehicle is already traveling at a higher rate. The higher the gear, the lower the gear ratio. Automatic Versus Manual Transmission The difference in automatic and manual transmissions comes down to how that gear ratio is dictated [...]

By |2018-06-28T14:47:03-06:00June 28th, 2018|Car Questions|0 Comments
Read More

7 Bad Car Habits You Need To Stop Doing

We are all guilty of a few bad habits, from smoking to biting your nails to leaving the lights on when you leave the house. And your car is no different. Here are a few bad car habits you need to stop — and soon. 1. Sudden Shifting You reverse out of a spot and without slowing, immediately put it into drive and go on your merry way. Stop. Over time, these sudden directional changes wreak havoc on your drivetrain from the engine to the transmission to your axles. Take the extra three seconds. Completely stop before going forward. 2. Flooring It (and Than Quickly Braking) We are all guilty. At some point, everyone has hit a wide-open stretch and gunned it. While its fun (and relatively harmless) every once in awhile, doing it all the time is one bad car habit you need to stop. Inevitably after gunning it, slamming the brakes follows. Neither is great. Fast acceleration burns fuel, but also puts a massive, sudden load on the drivetrain. Braking quickly causes wear [...]

By |2018-02-16T11:25:19-06:00February 16th, 2018|Car Service & Maintenance, Car Tips|1 Comment
Read More

Signs You Have a Failing Clutch

For manual transmission drivers, hearing the words "failing clutch" makes your stomach turn. But, it's not just a problem for manual transmission, automatic transmissions also experience clutch failure. Let's take a look at what happens when your clutch fails and how to tell when it is going to happen. How Long Do Clutches Last? Typically, clutches can last between 50-100,000 miles, making it a forgotten component of a vehicle. But, this mileage varies. If you drive in heavy traffic, frequently pull heavy loads and are prone to riding the clutch, it can fail sooner than the 50,000-mile mark. Signs of a Failing Clutch Luckily, your clutch gives off warning signs before completely breaking. But, it's up to you to listen to them. Slippage Have you noticed your engine races, but your car moves slowly? Slippage is the primary symptom of a worn clutch in an automatic transmission but is also noticeable with manual transmissions. Not sure if this is happening? Take your car out for a test drive. While acceleration on the highway or a [...]

By |2018-01-12T12:33:50-06:00January 12th, 2018|Car Questions|0 Comments
Read More
Go to Top