If you buy a new car or a used car from a reputable source, then you will almost certainly get a guarantee of some kind. This can vary according to the value of the car, of course, but it will usually cover the failure of the component parts. Yet if you look more closely at the small print, then you will see a number of exclusions which typically include parts that are considered to be 'replaceable', such as brake pads, filters and, crucially, the clutch. It is important to realise that the clutch is excluded in this way, as the replacement labour cost can sometimes be significant. How can you ensure that you treat the clutch as carefully as possible to avoid this sort of scenario?

Clutch Kit in Action

In a manually operated car, you will need to disconnect the engine from the gearbox from time to time in order to change gear. To do so, you will rely on the clutch kit, which is composed of three separate parts: a friction plate, a pressure plate and a release bearing. The release bearing is connected to the clutch pedal and will move forward or backward once the pedal is activated. When it does so, it will push or pull the pressure plate, and this will alter the position of the friction plate in relation to the back of the engine.

As the friction plate is covered with a very fine material, it can slide against the flywheel to gradually engage or disengage. This allows the drive from the engine to be turned on or off quite smoothly, as the driver selects the correct gear.

Driver Technique

Much will depend, however, on the technique and approach applied by the driver when it comes to just how smooth this operation may be. If the driver is less than attentive or is impatient, then the friction plate may wear down very quickly, and the release bearing may not last as long. This is generally why the clutch kit is not included in a guarantee.

When the friction plate wears down past a safe level, vehicle operation may be affected. Metal may also scrape against metal in the worst-case scenario, which could cause damage to the flywheel and other parts of the engine.

Taking Action

It is therefore important to look after the clutch as much as you can and to replace the relevant parts at the first sign of trouble. Just remember that this does involve the removal of the gearbox in order to access the clutch kit, which can involve quite a lot of added cost in terms of labour.

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