How to Keep Your Clutch in the Best Shape Possible 

If your vehicle has a manual transmission, then you’re familiar with just how much use your clutch pedal gets. Whether you’re starting, stopping, or changing speeds, your clutch pedal is frequently deployed, which means your clutch is getting a lot of use, and a lot of potential wear and tear. 

Unfortunately, clutches can be an expensive component to replace. And if your clutch is damaged and you don’t replace it, you can cause severe and irreparable harm to your entire transmission. To help keep your repair costs down, and make your car more desirable to potential buyers, you’ll want to keep your clutch in the best shape that you can. Here are a few ways to properly care for your clutch, so that you can get the most out of it. 

Always Have Enough Clutch Fluid 

When people talk about auto fluids, they often forget about clutch fluid. But just like motor oil and brake fluid, clutch fluid is crucial to a healthy car that runs smoothly. The clutch fluid reservoir is located under the hood, usually near the brake fluid, and usually marked so that you can find it easily. You can see the fluid level, and the minimum and maximum levels through the side of the clear reservoir. If the clutch fluid is low, simply add more fluid the same way you would with any other automotive fluid. 

Always Use the Parking Brake 

When your car is parked, activate the parking brake, and put the vehicle in neutral. Leaving the car in gear when the engine is turned off puts stress and pressure on the clutch, which ultimately wears it down. By putting the car in neutral and relying on the parking brake instead, you can take the stress off of the clutch.

If you’re trying to start from a stop on an incline, you should also put on your parking brake. Rev your engine and release the clutch, then release the parking brake. This will not only help the life of your clutch, but make it easier to start as well.

Be a Smart Shifter

Simply driving your car correctly can add many years to the life of your clutch. Try to change gears quickly, but still smoothly. Don’t change gears excessively; only when you need to. Your clutch, like any other part of your vehicle, gets wear and tear the more it’s used. If you can limit how much you use your clutch, you’ll increase the lifespan.
Always Pay Attention to Noises 

This goes for more than just your clutch: always note bizarre noises or feelings coming from your car. If you notice that your clutch or transmission is rattling, grinding, or making any other noises that you’re unfamiliar with, schedule an inspection as soon as possible. The same goes for if you feel anything unfamiliar in the clutch pedal when you depress it.
Follow these simple steps and you can keep your clutch healthy for a long time, saving you money, and making your car more attractive and valuable should you choose to resell it.