Signs Of A Bad Clutch On A Manual Transmission

March 12, 2021

A standard, manual transmission provides a level of fun and engagement that you just don't get from an automatic -- that makes them ideal for everyday city commuters and sports cars alike. However, they do require a little bit of a different approach when it comes to maintenance. We've got four things you should know about caring for your manual transmission below! If you experience any problems, like transmission slipping, burning smells or other issues with your vehicle, our team would be glad to help you in our service center.

A manual transmission is the enthusiast's choice for performance and control

4. Don't Forget The Parking Brake

Unlike in a car with an automatic transmission, which features a park mode, the parking brake is even more important in a vehicle with a manual transmission. Sometimes called the emergency brake, it's not just for emergencies. Parking on a slope can put wear on the transmission or even allow the vehicle to roll. The best procedure is to always engage the parking brake when the vehicle is parked. This means the parking brake will hold the vehicle, instead of the transmission, helping the clutch last longer.

The legendary Corvette offers a stick shift for more track day excitement

3. Driving Style Matters, Too

"Riding" the clutch between gear shifts will rapidly accelerate the wear on your clutch discs. Don't rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving, as this engages the clutch disc, inducing friction wear. Furthermore, it's a good idea to shift into neutral whenever sitting still for an extended period of time, like a stoplight or a slow drive-through. Leaving the vehicle in gear on a hill and holding the vehicle in place with the clutch accelerates the wear on the clutch throw out bearing. A more conservative, thoughtful driving style can actually extend the life of a car with a manual transmission.

2. Replace Dirty Transmission Fluid Regularly

Like automatics, standard transmissions rely on special transmission fluid for lubrication. Over time, this fluid can become dirty, and eventually degrade seals in the system. This can cause transmission leaks, which can be costly to fix -- at least more costly than regular transmission fluid service. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual or talk to a knowledgeable service writer at Capitol to find the replacement interval recommended for your vehicle.

This clutch disc is too worn and allows the transmission to slip

1. Replace The Clutch Disc When Performance Starts To Slip

The clutch disc has a special friction material that helps the clutch disconnect the engine power from the transmission so you can change gears. Over time, this material slowly wears away. Eventually, you can experience performance loss to transmission slip if this material is worn out. That means you'll need a replacement clutch disc installed, which is a common service we perform in our service center. Your owner's manual may even have a recommended service interval for this part.