The clutch system is a crucial part of any car with a manual transmission. Unfortunately, it can wear out over time, causing issues with your vehicle, or even a breakdown.
If your clutch is slipping or sticking, these may be signs that the clutch is wearing out. You may also hear a squeaking or grumbling noise when the clutch pedal is pressed, or have difficulties changing gear.
Learn more about the signs of clutch failure below, along with information about how a car clutch works.
What is a clutch in a car?
In the most basic sense, a clutch is a mechanical device that connects and disconnects 2 rotating plates. This allows movement energy to be transferred from one part of a machine to another.
In a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (ICE) and a gearbox, a clutch separates the engine from the transmission. This, in turn, allows gear changes and for the car to come to a complete stop while the engine is running.
Most clutches are operated by a foot pedal, but some are automatic with no pedal. These are usually referred to as semi-automatics.
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Which is the clutch pedal?
The clutch pedal is always the left-most pedal in manual cars. This is the same whether you drive a left-hand drive or right-hand drive manual car. Automatic cars do not have a clutch pedal at all.
What are the different types of clutch?
There are different types of clutch system that can be present in vehicles. Some of the main ones are as follows:
- Single-plate friction – this is the most common type of clutch in a manual car.
- Wet multiplate friction – these are usually found in motorcycles and semi-automatic cars.
- Dry multiplate friction – these are usually fitted in high performance motorcycles.
- Centrifugal and semi-centrifugal – these are found in mopeds and petrol-powered machines like mowers and chainsaws.
- Fluid – there are many types, but torque converters are the most common in cars and are only fitted in automatics.
The different clutch systems have similar functions, but there are differences in the mechanics and how they operate. It’s worth being aware of what type of clutch system is in your vehicle, as it may mean different maintenance is required.
For example, a single-plate or multi-plate friction clutch operates by using springs to engage and disengage different plates, connecting and disconnecting the engine and transmission. But they can also be operated by a cable, hydraulic system or electronically.
Torque converters have fewer parts, meaning there’s generally less chance of something going wrong. But the transmission fluid that operates them and the rest of the automatic gearbox deteriorates over time and will need to be changed. This is done as part of a transmission service.
How does a car clutch work in a manual car?
There are different clutch systems that can be present in manual vehicles, so they don’t all work in the same way but the purpose of them is generally the same.
Most manual cars have a single plate friction clutch. This is made up of several components:
- Flywheel – attached to the engine of the vehicle.
- Pressure plate – connected to the manual gearbox and spring loaded to produce pressure when engaged.
- Friction plate – sits between the flywheel and the pressure plate and connects the two when the pressure plate is engaged.
- Release bearing – operates the springs on the pressure plate and hydraulically operated systems, often incorporating the slave hydraulic cylinder.
- Master cylinder – connects to the clutch pedal and provides the pressure to the slave cylinder via a hydraulic pipe.
On cable systems, the hydraulic components are replaced by a cable that connects the pedal to a lever, which acts on the release bearing in the same way as the slave cylinder. Cable clutches are usually found on smaller vehicles and motorcycles. In manual cars and vans, the clutch pedal is located to the left of the brake and accelerator pedals.
When your foot is off the clutch pedal, the clutch is engaged so the engine and transmission are connected, and spin at the same speed. When your foot is pressed down on the clutch pedal, the clutch is disengaged so the engine and gearbox are disconnected, which allows you to change gears or brake and stop the car without turning the engine off.
Not all manual cars have a clutch pedal. Semi-automatics and vehicles with a sequential or automated manual gearbox (SMG/AMG) don’t have one – instead the clutch is operated electro-hydraulically by a computer. In manual motorbikes, there’s generally a hand-operated clutch lever allowing the rider to change gear.
If you’re new to driving, read our beginner’s guide to clutch control.
What are the signs that a clutch is going?
Here are some of the main signs your clutch is starting to fail.
Clutch slipping
The clutch “slips”, causing a brief loss in acceleration, usually as you release the pedal after changing gear.
Clutch pedal feels spongy, sticky or loose
It could be a sign that your clutch fluid is low if your clutch feels ‘spongy’ or ‘soft’. A clutch that feels like it’s sticking when you press it down could mean that you’ll need a clutch cable repair. A loose feeling clutch could potentially just need tightening up, but you also have a problem with the master cylinder.
Grumbling noise or squeaky clutch pedal when pressing the clutch
A squeaking or grumbling noise usually indicates that the release bearing is worn out and will need replacing. This comes as part of a replacement clutch and isn’t something that should be changed separately.
Difficulty accelerating, even though the engine is revving
If you’re able to rev the engine but have difficulty accelerating, then you may have an issue with your clutch being worn out.
Noticing a puddle of fluid under your car or around the gearbox
If the clutch fluid level suddenly drops or you notice a puddle of clutch fluid under the car or around the gearbox (in a vehicle with a hydraulic clutch system) – this could mean there’s a leak in the system and the clutch won’t work properly.
Difficulty changing gears
If the main symptom you’ve noticed is difficulty changing gears, then this could also be due to a faulty gearbox. To check whether the clutch or the gearbox is to blame, turn off the engine and try changing gears. If you can then the issue often lies with the clutch.
If you notice one of the above early warning signs of clutch failure while driving, you should take your car to a garage to get the issue resolved before it causes you to break down.
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What is clutch slipping?
A slipping clutch most commonly happens when the material on the friction plate starts to wear out.
This means the pressure plate will move at a different speed to the flywheel, so the vehicle can’t send full engine power through the gearbox to the road wheels.
If your clutch is slipping:
- When you change gear and take your foot off the clutch, you’ll notice you can’t accelerate as quickly as usual.
- There may be a burning smell in the car.
A slipping clutch is a common sign that the clutch is worn out. It’s worth noting that a perfectly good driver can still experience a slipping clutch through wear and tear of regular use, though drivers who are quite aggressive with the clutch pedal (or have a heavy foot) can expect to cause damage to the clutch more quickly. If you often drive in heavy traffic where you have to stop and start a lot, then your clutch is also going to go through a lot more use than if you have relatively smooth drives with few stops.
There are a few other possible causes for a slipping clutch, like:
- The clutch is contaminated from oil leaking from the engine or gearbox
- A sticking clutch component, such as the pedal, slave or master cylinder or the release bearing
- Faulty clutch cables or cables that have been damaged
Clutch pedal slipping symptoms
When your clutch starts to fail, there are some key symptoms to look out for, such as:
- Your gearbox is making grinding noises
- Your vehicle tends to suddenly stutter or jerk when you’re choosing a gear
- It’s difficult to change gears when you press down on the clutch
- Vibrations coming from the gearbox
- A burning smell coming from within the gearbox
- The clutch pedal is soft, sticky or spongy – the clutch should always provide some resistance while performing smoothly
Do clutches fail suddenly?
While most issues with clutches are caused by wear and tear, there’s a small possibility that your clutch could fail suddenly. If it does, you won’t be able to move your car at all. Causes of sudden clutch failure can include:
- Clutch cables suddenly breaking
- The springs behind the pressure plates fail, causing you to be unable to move your car
- A hydraulic component could fail such as the master/slave cylinder or a hydraulic hose
What should I do if the clutch suddenly fails?
If your car’s clutch suddenly fails while you’re driving, you should:
- Stop the car as soon as you can in as safe a place as possible.
- Turn your hazard lights on and switch off the engine.
- Contact us to report your breakdown.
Make sure you’ve got breakdown cover – if this happens to you we’ll be able to come out and assist you.
What happens if I keep driving with a bad clutch?
If your clutch pedal is sticking, slipping, or perhaps you have a squeaky clutch pedal and you keep driving, you risk increasing the chance of full clutch failure in the near future. If you have any of these symptoms and you also notice the general handling and performance of your car worsening over time, then it would be best to have a mechanic look at your clutch so they can give you a proper diagnosis.
How to fix a clutch
You’ll need to take your vehicle to a garage to get your clutch fixed. You should note down any clutch failure symptoms you’ve noticed to inform the mechanic.
How long does it take to fix a clutch?
How long it takes to fix the clutch will depend on the problem and the vehicle – you should speak to your garage to find out how much time they estimate it will take to fix.
How much does it cost to fix a clutch?
The cost to replace a clutch can vary depending on the garage and vehicle make. Generally, you can expect to pay upwards of £300 for parts and labour.
What to do if you have problems after a clutch replacement
If you have problems after the clutch has been replaced, take it back to the garage that did the work so they can repair it. If you have breakdown cover with us, you can call out one of our mechanics who will be able to confirm the source of the problem for you.
How long do clutches last?
Clutches generally last up to 80,000 miles or so, but they can wear out more quickly depending on how you drive your car.
There are some ways you can help your clutch last longer.
1. Take your foot completely off the clutch pedal between gear changes and whenever you don’t need to press it.
“Riding” the clutch is the most common reason for premature clutch failure. Even the slightest pressure on the pedal will partially disengage the clutch, causing the release bearing, pressure plate and flywheel to overheat.
2. Put the gearbox in neutral when stationary and release the clutch pedal.
This engages the clutch and releases all the pressure on the components. Always make sure the handbrake is on when the car is stationary and not in gear.
3. Avoid “holding” the car on hills and slopes with the clutch.
This will quickly wear out the friction plate, as it's effectively slipping the clutch in order to keep the car stationary. Press the clutch and brake together to stop the car and apply the handbrake.
4. Accelerate and decelerate smoothly, changing gears as appropriate to help you do this.
The goal should be to get your foot off the clutch as quickly as possible so as not to cause slippage and unnecessary wear.
You should also perform basic car checks and get your car serviced regularly so an expert can spot any warning signs or problems with the vehicle that may cause the clutch to wear out.
Take a look at our complete guide to car servicing.
Do automatic cars have a clutch?
Automatic cars don’t have a clutch pedal, although they do have internal clutch packs and a torque converter. They also usually have a simplified gear selection system.
While manual cars have a gear stick and normally at least 5 gears to choose from, automatic vehicles usually have a shifter which only lets you choose between forward and reverse gears, as well as neutral and park.
Some have a “manual” mode, which allows the driver to decide when the car changes gear, often via paddles either side of the steering wheel.
Generally, the gearbox chooses the right gear for the car’s speed without the driver having to do anything. The torque converter allows the car to come to a complete stop while still in gear.
Learn more about the differences between manual and automatic cars.
Do electric cars have a clutch?
Most electric vehicles (EVs) don’t have clutch systems or gearboxes.
They usually only have 1 reduction gear as electric motors are able to produce high levels of torque from a standstill and go on to achieve much higher revs than an ICE.
Learn more about maintenance and repair for electric cars.
How much does it cost to replace a clutch?
Prices for clutch replacement services can vary – you may see a range of between £300 and £700. One way of reducing or completely covering this cost is to add parts and garage cover to your breakdown cover policy. With parts and garage cover, you can get up to £535 towards repairs and labour after you call us out.
Published: 18 February 2022 | Updated: 25 July 2023 | Author: The AA