Your vehicle is a complex piece of machinery that consists of various parts and components responsible for the various functions you are familiar with. However, certain components are more essential than others as they affect how your car drives. These are the part’s that you will want to pay extra attention, as this will enable you to have a better driving experience. In addition, this means your car and your safety will be preserved. One such system of parts that is crucial to how your car works is the clutch system. This is a system that is part of both automatic and manual transmission, although they may work in a different way.
In this article, we will look at how a clutch system works, and their dos and don’ts. In this way, you will get a comprehensive understanding of the clutching system. Let’s dive in.
What is a clutch system?
The clutch is a mechanical device that acts as a buffer between the transmission system and engine. Its main function is to engage and shut off the transmission from the engine. Clutch systems are essential to both manual and automatic transmission vehicle’s. As they help transfer rotating motion from one shaft to another.
How does a clutch system work?
The engine would be impossible to start as the torque from engine’s are too low to do so. Additionally, the engine is always spinning while the wheels are not. To prevent the engine from being cut off when the wheel’s are still. The clutch help’s disengaging the engine from the wheels.
What are the parts of the clutch system?
Like any system in the vehicle, it is made of a series of smaller parts that help the whole thing function. The main components of a clutch system are the following:
Flywheel
The flywheel is permanently mounted on the crankshaft and keep’s rotating as long as the engine does. The teeth on the edge activate the starter motor which helps start the car.
Friction Discs
The friction discs can be singular or multiplayer, and are made of a material that is made of a high coefficient of friction. They are attached to the flywheel and the clutch plate interacts with its surface. It is one of the most important parts of the clutch system.
Clutch Plate
The clutch plate is another disc with a high coefficient of friction. That is forced against the flywheel’s face on one end and the pressure plate on the other. The friction produced is essential to how the clutch transmission system works. It is essential that this component is designed as accurately as possible.
Pressure Plate
The pressure plate is another component of the clutch system that is attached to the flywheel that presses the clutch plate against the friction disc on the flywheel. When you press on the clutch, this plate presses onto the clutch plate allowing gear movements and preventing damaging vibrations.
Spring and Release Levers
The clutch plate and diaphragm springs are clutch system components that help move the friction disc’s back and forth. This allows the free movement of gears within the transmission system while allowing smooth delivery of power. These springs are controlled with the help of a release lever.
The Dos of Vehicle Clutch System
Do press the Clutch Pedal all the way
When changing gears, it is a good idea to press the clutch all the way to the floor. This will ensure that the clutch discs are entirely disengaged which means no power is being transferred to the wheel’s. In this way, you will be able to preserve the clutch transmission system by preventing wear and tear on it.
Do use Lower Gears on Inclines
When you are driving on inclines, you will be likely using your brakes a lot. This is where using lower gears can help as this puts less pressure on your brakes while giving you more control. In high gears, repeated braking will put a heavy load on your brake and overheat them. This can damage your clutch system and even lead to brake failure which can be incredibly dangerous for your car and safety.
Do shift Smoothly and at the right time
Rookie driver’s tend to make the common mistake of jamming their gear shift and slamming it when changing gears. This can cause damage to the transmission system and also make the experience unpleasant. Instead, it is better to work on smoothly shifting gears so they are quicker. Additionally, you must understand when the right time is to shift gears. If you don’t get the timing right, it can put pressure on the engine or make it struggle which is something you should avoid. It is a good idea to remember to shift to the next highest gear when it is available.
The Don’ts of Vehicle Clutch System
Don’t Rest Your Foot on Clutch Pedal
It is a good idea to remember that either you press the clutch pedal all the way or do not use it at all. This means that you should keep your foot away from it unless you are using it. This is because even the slight pressure from resting your foot on it can cause some disengagement. Which means unnecessary wear and tear on the vehicle clutch system. Therefore, you should rest your foot on the floor after you are done using the clutch.
Don’t Shift gears without pressing the clutch pedal
It is possible to shift gears without disengaging the clutch but this does not mean that you should. This is because it can put a lot of pressure on the clutch system which can lead to early repairs. Therefore, you should disengage the clutch when you are shifting gears and do so all the way. What this means is that the clutch pedal should be pressed all the way to the floor when you are changing gears.
Don’t leave the car in gear when stopped for a while
If you are only stopping your car for a while, such as when the light is about to turn green, then leaving your car in the first gear with the clutch pedal pressed is usually fine. However, when you find that you have to stop your car for longer it is recommended that you do not do so. This is because when you put the clutch pedal pressed down longer, it can put extra strain on the clutch system. Instead, you should put your car in neutral which will put less strain on the transmission and also allow you to rest your leg.
Don’t rest your hand on shift lever
Resting your hand on the shift lever is not a good idea as it can cause some level of wear and tear, even if you apply slight pressure. This is because when you engage the lever and shift gears, it is done when you apply a certain amount of pressure. This is why you should not have your hand on the shift lever when you are not using it. Instead, you can hover your hand on it or keep it nearby so that you are ready to change gears.
In conclusion
There are various components and parts that are essential to how your car works. Many of these are even part of intricate systems that fulfill certain functions for your vehicle. One of these systems is the vehicle clutch system that is arguably one of the most important parts of your car. It allows you to disengage and engage the transmission from the engine, allowing the engine to run when the wheels are not. These systems are composed of various parts. We have seen in this article that ensures the clutch system operates smoothly and correctly. In addition, we have looked at the dos and don’ts when it comes to the clutch system, to ensure that it is preserved and used properly.
We hope this article proves helpful and enables you to understand how the vehicle clutch system works. Thank you for reading!
