The clutch and brakes are two of the most important areas of any vehicle so they must remain in good condition. Too often, car owners will ignore tell-tale signs of damage until their clutch or brakes are no longer working, therefore increasing the safety risks while driving. Alternatively, checking your clutch and brakes often is a great way of checking how they’re performing.
So, how do you check your brakes and clutch? Here’s all you need to know.
How to test your clutch
Check how firm it feels with the engine off
Before turning the ignition on, press the clutch and assess how it feels. There should be some resistance so it does not feel too easy to press down and equally not too hard. Commonly, if your clutch feels soft and spongy this is a sign that it’s wearing out and will need replacing.
Test how fast it comes back up
With the engine still off, press the clutch as far down as it goes then release it. A clutch that is in good condition should spring back to its original position quickly and have some resistance as you press down. On the other hand, if it gets stuck, moves slowly or feels bouncy then it’s likely to be wearing out.
How to test the brakes
Take note of how they perform while stopping
While driving you should make a conscious effort to understand how your brakes are performing. Firstly, if your car is no longer coming to a halt as quickly or you find that you need to brake harder this could be a sign that they’re losing grip. Additionally, if they are worn on one side more than the other, your car may begin to pull left or right when you come to a stop which can be extremely dangerous.
Check how they feel
Similar to checking your clutch, you should also assess how firm your brakes feel. They should not feel spongy or too stiff and while driving, if you feel vibrations underneath the break and on the steering wheel, this could be a sign that your brake disks are warped.
At Gearbox Specialists in Bournemouth, we offer a reliable and professional repair service for all brake and clutch problems. If you’ve noticed a change in the way your car is performing, such as squeaking or a spongy our team will diagnose the problem and find a solution. Keep your vehicle safe today. Get in touch with us for more information.
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