MOTORING NEWS - Modern clutches on manual vehicles can last as long as a quarter of a million kilometres, but eventually the friction material of the clutch will wear out. This happens slowly and drivers often don't notice the symptoms, which can lead to extra gearbox wear.
Common signs of clutch wear include difficulty engaging reverse or second gear, as well as the gearbox grating when the driver changes to higher gears. The clutch might also begin to slip while under high loads. If the clutch has failed completely, it might not be possible to engage first gear at all with the engine running.
If you suspect the clutch might be wearing out, have it checked by a mechanic, so that you avoid incurring secondary gearbox damage by having to force the vehicle into gear.
Article: Bridgestone
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