How To Care For Your Clutch From A Chicago Auto Repair Shop

Be good to your clutch and your car will be around for a lot longer. One of the first things you can do is break bad habits. Many people have a tendency to keep their foot on the clutch all the time. This will not prolong the clutch life. If you want to avoid unnecessary auto repairs, follow a simple rule: the clutch pedal should be in one of two positions. It should be depressed all the way down or left untouched. This is the best way to reduce wear on an expensive car part.

A Clutch Isn't A Brake

Don't treat your clutch like a brake in order to prevent your car from rolling down a hill. An example of this is when you park your car on an incline and then get ready to start it up. Before you engage your clutch, use the hand brake. Then, shift the clutch into first gear until at least 3,000 RPM. Next, release the clutch slowly, then release the hand brake as you bear down on the throttle.

Don't Peal Out at Stop Lights

After you've spent a while at the stoplight, racing your engine will probably feel good, but it isn't going to make your clutch last any longer. So, try to limit those RPMs as you pull away from a complete stop. The goals is about 1000 RPMs and make sure that you don't slip the clutch or rev the engine.

Your Clutch Is Going To Cost A Whole Lot More Than Your Brakes

When it comes to auto repairs, your clutch costs more than new brakes, so use it only as intended to avoid extra expense. By matching your engine speed to your rear-wheel speed you can achieve smoother downshifting. Engage the throttle while you release the clown during downshifting to raise your car's RPMs for a smoother ride. A common mistake is using your heel on the brake pedal with your toe on the throttle.

Drivers who are dexterous use their heals on the brake pad and place their toes on the throttle so that both are applied simultaneously. This also makes downshifting smoother. Do not try to practice this technique in traffic, but when you are skilled in using it, it can greatly extend the life of your clutch while helping you maintain a smooth, comfortable ride.

There will inevitably come a time when repairs from an auto shop become essential, but techniques like these can helps stave unnecessary repairs off.