If you’re one of the 18 percent of drivers within the United States who drives a car with a clutch, taking good care of that clutch could be very important. You could conserve thousands of dollars by taking a take a look at your driving practices. You are able to very easily extend the lifetime of your clutch. Just look at 3 of the biggest clutch-driving mistakes and fixing them can extend the life by months, if not years.
You will shift at the right time
While the engine is on, a clutch shifts gears. Changing those gears at the right time will help reduce the wear and tear on the clutch — and make your engine run better. On most cars, you need to shift up when the engine RPMs are at about 3,000 to 4,000. When braking, downshift the engine before you apply the brake – it will help prevent wear and tear on both your clutch and your brakes.
Resting your feet in the right place
You may be tempted to rest your foot on the clutch while driving. Pressure can be placed on it if you rest your foot there. The pressure could slowly grind down the clutch. Unless you are using it, keep your foot off the pedal.
Park it so it is safe
To keep it from rolling when parked on a hill, you need to put it in gear. Do not rely on the gear to keep it there. Always use your emergency brake along with either reverse or first gear. If your engine pressure is low, not using the emergency brake could mean you end up chasing your vehicle down the hill. Always use your emergency break.
