How do I know if my clutch is going?
The clearest sign is slipping: the engine revs rise but the car does not speed up to match, especially in higher gears or uphill. A biting point near the top of the pedal, a burning smell, judder pulling away or a heavy pedal are other common signs. Some of these are cheaper hydraulic or flywheel faults, so get it diagnosed first.
Should I replace the dual mass flywheel with the clutch?
Only if it measures outside the manufacturer's tolerance. The gearbox has to come out for a clutch, so that is the time to check the flywheel. If it is within tolerance it goes back on and you keep your money; if it is worn, replacing it in the same visit avoids paying for the gearbox to come out twice.
Can you drive with a slipping clutch?
Only for days rather than months, and gently. A slipping clutch generates heat that can crack or blue the flywheel, turning a clutch job into a clutch and flywheel job, and it can leave you stranded with little further warning. Drive it gently straight to a specialist and avoid hard acceleration, hills and heavy loads.
Is it worth repairing an automatic gearbox or replacing it?
We do not repair or rebuild automatic gearboxes — we replace them when the transmission itself has failed. Internal rebuilds are specialist bench work with a high failure rate when done occasionally. But not every automatic fault is a failed gearbox: sensors, wiring and fluid condition can cause the same symptoms, so diagnosis comes first.
How long does a clutch last?
A clutch on a car driven mostly on motorways can pass 120,000 miles, while the same clutch in heavy Manchester stop-start traffic may need replacing by 60,000. Driving style matters more than the make of car: riding the clutch, slipping it on hills and carrying heavy loads all shorten its life.
Want to see real examples? Our recent clutch and gearbox jobs log shows what we found on cars that have been through the workshop.