Car clutch problems

What is a clutch in a car?

A clutch is a mechanical device that connects and disconnects two 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 allows your car to shift gears and 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. Unfortunately, they can wear out over time, causing issues with your vehicle or even a breakdown.

In this article, you'll learn more about the signs of clutch failure.

Do automatic cars have a clutch?

Automatic cars don’t have a clutch pedal. They have internal clutch packs and a torque converter and a simplified gear selection system.

Automatic cars use a special transmission system that automatically changes the gears according to the speed of the vehicle with the help of the driver.

Here are some differences from a manual gearbox:

Automatic vehicles have a shifter which only lets you choose between forward and reverse gears, as well as neutral and park
The gearbox chooses the right gear for the car’s speed without you doing anything
The torque converter allows the car to come to a complete stop while still in gear

Some automatic vehicles have a ‘manual’ mode, which allows you to decide when the car changes 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 .

EVs usually only have one reduction gear as electric motors can produce high levels of torque from a standstill and go on to achieve much higher revs than an internal combustion engine (ICE).

There are 3 main types of EVs, here are the different electric transmissions they use:

Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV): BEVs use an electric motor as their sole power source to propel the wheels and don’t have an internal combustion engine. They’re equipped with a single-speed transmission, which eliminates the need for a gearbox or clutch. The electric motor delivers immediate torque, which allows your car to accelerate quickly and smoothly.

Extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV): E-REV's bridges the gap between plug-in hybrids and pure electric cars. They run on electricity only, but unlike pure electric vehicles they also have an internal combustion engine (ICE) engine generator on board to recharge the battery when it’s depleted. This also helps to reduce emissions and fuel costs.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs): Both integrate an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor, but they operate differently. PHEVs can be charged when plugged in and typically have a larger battery. HEVs on the other hand use the engine to charge the battery and generally have a smaller battery.

Learn more about maintenance and repair for electric cars .

What are the different types of clutch?

There are several types of clutch system that can be present in vehicles. Some of the main ones are:

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 important to know what type of clutch system your vehicle has, as it may require different maintenance.

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 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 the same.

Most manual cars have a single plate friction clutch. This is made up of several components:

Flywheel – this is attached to the engine of the vehicle
Pressure plate – this is connected to the manual gearbox and spring loaded to produce pressure when engaged
Friction plate – this sits between the flywheel and the pressure plate and connects the two when the pressure plate is engaged
Release bearing – this operates the springs on the pressure plate and hydraulically operated systems, often incorporating the slave hydraulic cylinder
Master cylinder – this connects to the clutch pedal and provides the pressure to the slave cylinder via a hydraulic pipe
Slave cylinder – this is connected to the clutch release bearing either directly, inside the gearbox or remotely via a release arm

Here’s how to work the clutch in a manual car:

Press the clutch pedal down – this will disengage the clutch and separate the engine from the transmission.

With the clutch disengaged, you can select the desired gear by moving the gear shift lever.

Once the gear is selected, slowly release the clutch pedal to engage the clutch and connect the engine to the transmission.

As the clutch engages, the pressure plate presses against the clutch disc, which connects the engine to the transmission and allows the vehicle to move.

As you accelerate, the clutch continues to engage and disengage while you shift gears, allowing the vehicle to maintain speed and change direction.

When you want to slow down or stop, just press the clutch pedal down – this disengages the clutch and separates the engine from the transmission.

Apply the brakes to slow down or stop the vehicle while keeping the clutch disengaged.

When the vehicle comes to a complete stop, select neutral or shift to a lower gear, and then release the clutch pedal fully.

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 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?

The main signs that your clutch is failing include:

The clutch slipping 
The clutch pedal feeling spongy, sticky or loose
Grumbling noise or squeaky clutch pedal when pressing the clutch
Difficulty accelerating, even though the engine is revving 
Noticing a puddle of fluid under your car or around the gearbox
Difficulty changing gears

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Why is my clutch pedal sticking to the floor?

Clutch highlight

If the clutch pedal is sticking to the floor, it isn’t disengaging properly. Aside from the clutch/ hydraulic fluid being low, it can be caused by:

Air in the hydraulic system: If air gets into the hydraulic system, it can prevent the clutch from disengaging properly, making it difficult to select gears.

Worn out clutch components: Over time, the clutch components, such as the friction plate or release bearing can wear out and cause the clutch to slip or stick.

A faulty master and slave cylinder system :The hydraulic clutch system uses a master cylinder and a slave cylinder to engage and disengage the clutch.

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 stop and start a lot, then your clutch is also going to go through a lot more use than if you’re driving with few stops.

Symptoms of a slipping clutch

Driving with a slipping clutch can lead to additional damage to your vehicle and can also be hazardous. There are multiple signs to look for if your car is experiencing a slipping clutch.

If you notice any of the following signs, it’s important to have the clutch inspected by a professional mechanic:

Grinding noises
The vehicle stutters or jerks when you select a gear
Difficulty changing gear when clutch pedal is fully depressed
Vibrations coming from the gearbox
A burning smell coming from within the gearbox
Clutch pedal feels soft, sticky, or spongy – some pedal resistance is normal and expected

How long do clutches last?

Clutches 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.

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.

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.

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 to keep the car stationary. Press the clutch and brake together to stop the car and apply the handbrake

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.

For more on clutch maintenance, look at our complete guide to car servicing.

What should I do if the clutch suddenly fails

If your car’s clutch suddenly fails while you’re driving, you should:

Shift the transmission to neutral. This will allow you to maintain control of the vehicle and safely pull over to the side of the road.
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 a breakdown.

Make sure you’ve got breakdown cover  – if this happens to you, we’ll head out and assist you.

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What happens if I keep driving with a bad clutch?

If your clutch pedal is sticking, slipping, or squeaking, you increase the risk of full clutch failure. If you have any of these symptoms and notice the general handling and performance of your car worsening over time, it would be best to have a mechanic look at your clutch to provide a proper diagnosis.

How much does it cost to replace a clutch?

Prices for clutch replacement services vary depending on make, model and type of clutch system. One way to reduce or completely cover 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.

How to fix a clutch

Unless you have the knowledge and the training to fix a clutch, it’s not something we recommend you do yourself. Always go to a professional to diagnose and fix the problem.

Fixing a clutch involves different steps, depending on the specific issue. Here are some general steps that could be taken to fix a clutch:

Step 1

Start by diagnosing the problem. This may require inspecting the clutch system for issues such as worn-out components or low hydraulic fluid levels.

Step 2

Replace any worn-out components, such as the clutch disc or pressure plate, by removing the old parts and installing new ones.

Step 3

Adjust the clutch linkage or cable to ensure that the clutch is engaging and disengaging properly, if necessary.

Step 4

Replace any faulty clutch master or slave cylinders by removing the old cylinder and installing a new one.

Step 5

Refill the hydraulic fluid in the clutch system reservoir if the fluid levels are low.

Step 6

Bleed the clutch system to remove air from the system by opening the bleed screw and pumping the clutch pedal.

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.

Generally, replacing worn-out components, like the clutch disc or pressure plate, can take about 4 to 6 hours. However, replacing the entire clutch system may take up to 8 hours or more. Adjusting or bleeding the clutch system can usually be done within an hour or two. These estimates vary depending on the specific vehicle and the complexity of the issue. You should speak to your garage to find out how much time they estimate it will take to fix.

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.

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Learn more about the most common car clutch problems