How to know when you need a new clutch for your vehicle.

If you drive a manual vehicle, every time you drive it, you put wear and tear on the clutch. You put the most wear on the clutch when you start driving from a fully stopped position. So, depending on if you do the majority of your driving on the freeway or on surface streets affects how long your clutch will last. Unlike other parts of your car, you cannot base the lifetime of the clutch on a particular number of miles or the age of the clutch. It varies with each different car and how it is driven. What is important to remember above all is all clutches eventually wear out and it is important to know when you may need a new one. Here are a few ways to tell if you need to replace your clutch.

• Next time you are shifting, pay close attention to what you feel in the gear shifter. If you do not feel a lot of resistance or it is much easier to shift than usual, this may be a bad sign. It is not conclusive though, so consider trying other tests as well or taking it in to your mechanic.

• While you are driving, pay attention to your RPMs. If you see a large jump in the RPMs but do not feel a lot of acceleration, your clutch might be going bad. You can also listen closely as you are driving, if you are having to increase your RPMs and give it much more gas to make your car go speeds it used to easily reach, this may not be a good sign.

• Go to your mechanic for a Phoenix car tune up. If your car is not driving like it used to and you are unsure if your clutch may be going bad, the only guaranteed way to check your clutch is to remove it and check it.

Remember, no matter how you drive, you will be putting wear on your clutch. Pay attention to how your car is driving and if you are at all concerned with whether or not your clutch is going bad, stop in for a Tucson car tune up at a Brake Masters location near you and we will check it out!