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Dewald Ranft, chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (Miwa), confirms that apart from the quality of the installation, incorrect clutch control is the most common cause of a clutch burning out.
Other variables that play a role in the life expectancy of a clutch are general levels of vehicle maintenance, road conditions and the vehicle’s normal labour load.
“This is why some people need clutch replacements after only a few thousand kilometres, while others drive with the same original clutch in their vehicle for 10 or even 20 years,” says Ranft.
He explains that the clutch connects and disconnects the power from your engine to your wheels, via the gearbox. When you press down on the clutch, it disengages the engine from your wheels. This allows you to change gear.
In other words, you can’t change gears when the clutch is raised. Unless you’re in neutral, when you raise the clutch, it engages the power.
“Clutch control is about mastering this power transfer. It is particularly important for maintaining control of the car at low speeds. It allows you to do a number of things, such as change gear, pull off and drive in slow-moving, stop-start traffic,” Ranft says.
“The clutch is subjected to constant friction, so it will wear out eventually. How long your car drives without having to replace the clutch depends entirely on the way you drive.”