What happens if clutch fails while driving?

When you depress the clutch pedal in your car, the clutch disengages the engine from the transmission and allows you to change gears. When you bring your foot off the clutch pedal, springs in the clutch plate reduce the shock and vibrations associated with the clutch re-engaging and ensure that you have a smooth and comfortable gear change. 

If you press down on the clutch pedal and struggle to engage the next gear, or the gear change is rougher than you would expect, these can be indications that you have an issue with the clutch system. 

Common clutch issue symptoms

There are many early indications that you can watch out for, which will alert you to a potentially faulty clutch system. A proactive decision to change clutch components is wise as the longer that these issues persist, the greater the likelihood of the engine or gearbox sustaining damage which will be more costly to resolve. 

If you are unable to engage the next gear, or your car loses drive as you accelerate, this is known as clutch slip, and is a common indicator of a faulty clutch system. These faults occur when the friction material on the clutch plates is so worn out that it is no longer able to engage or disengage cleanly from the gearbox or a bearing has become worn, limiting the operation of the clutch. 

Clutch slip is usually one of the last indications that your clutch is failing. Before this occurs, you may notice strange noises, such as squeaking, grinding or whining when you depress the clutch pedal. Years of experience tell us that any new noises that occur when you press or release the clutch pedal should be investigated at the earliest possible opportunity to guard against possible clutch failure. 

Other symptoms of a faulty clutch system include a vibrating or juddering feel to the clutch pedal when you press it, or a feeling that the clutch 'bite point' is wrong. You will usually notice this if you find you have to press the pedal very firmly into the floor to get the clutch to disengage, or if there is very little pedal travel after the bite point when changing gears and subsequently removing your foot from the clutch pedal. 

Finally, if you notice a burning smell emanating from your vehicle after a gear change, this is a very clear indication that your clutch system needs urgent attention, and that you will very likely need to replace the clutch. 

Why clutches fail

Car clutches are designed to last up to 80,000 miles when the car is driven carefully and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. However, they can wear more quickly in certain conditions. 

The most common reason for early clutch failure is when drivers "ride" the clutch. This is the term given to a driving style in which drivers do not fully depress the clutch pedal when stationary or fail to fully remove their foot from the pedal when in motion. When a clutch pedal is partially engaged, the internal friction plates in the clutch will continue to slip to some extent, causing excessive wear and heat, which exacerbates the damage. For this reason, it is recommended that you place your car into neutral when stationary and always remove your foot entirely from the clutch once in motion. 

Other reasons why a clutch would wear more quickly include drivers who "slip" the clutch for faster acceleration, regularly towing a caravan or trailer and doing lots of short commutes, which involve regular stopping and starting. In these scenarios, the clutch has to work harder and therefore wears more quickly.  

What happens when a clutch system is faulty

Clutch discs are covered in a friction material which is essential to maintain its proper operation. When the friction material wears out, it stops transmitting power from the car's engine to its wheels. The material only wears when the clutch disc and the flywheel are not spinning in sync so by driving sensibly and fully engaging each gear change, this wear can be minimised. 

If your clutch does not release cleanly, it can cause damage to internal components in the gearbox and can eventually stop the car from engaging the right gear. Sticking clutches are usually caused by stretched or broken clutch cables that no longer provide sufficient tension; leaks from the master or slave cylinder in hydraulic clutch systems, which prevent the pressure from accumulating at sufficiently high levels; or hydraulic fluid contamination or air in the hydraulic line. 

Occasionally, damage to the pedal linkage, cross shaft, bearings or worn seals in the hydraulic system can cause a clutch pedal to fail to disengage cleanly or to require significant effort to depress fully. 

Protyre Support

If you experience any problems changing gear, or have any concerns that your vehicle is exhibiting early signs of clutch trouble, please contact your local Protyre garage who will book you an appointment at a time that is convenient for you, in order to assess the vehicle and propose a solution for resolving it.  

This may not require a total clutch replacement, but very often some minor changes or adjustments to components, such as clutch cables or hydraulic fluid replacement, may be required to maintain your clutch in the best possible condition and extend its life. 

Total clutch failure can have significant ramifications for your safety and that of other road users, as well as being very costly to resolve, so it is always sensible to have any early indication of clutch trouble investigated in order to avoid a more costly solution being necessary in the future.  

Protyre's qualified fitters will ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy and, where necessary, can recommend and fit any replacement components that are necessary, including tyres. We stock a comprehensive selection of tyres, ranging from budget options to leading brands, including Continental and Pirelli, so if you need any advice or help with your vehicle's maintenance requirements, please contact your local Protyre garage today.