Does your clutch seem to wear out faster than it should? If you own a manual transmission Toyota vehicle and don’t want your car to be a constant visitor to the mechanic, then you ought to take good care of the clutch. The clutch is one of the most used parts of your car that connects the engine with the wheels and allows for easy gear shifting. But if not well taken care of, it can wear out in the shortest time possible.
Importance of Maintaining Your Toyota’s Clutch
Your Toyota’s clutch is the intermediary between your car’s engine and transmission system. Whenever you depress the clutch pedal, it separates the engine from the transmission system so that everything will work smoothly when you shift gears. Sometimes due to friction, heat, and bad handling of the car the clutch components may wear out. Repairing a clutch can prove very costly sometimes which makes it more economical to know how to take care of it.
How to Care for Your Toyota’s Clutch and Make it Last Longer
Avoid Riding the Clutch
The first thing that most drivers tend to do wrong is to place their foot on the clutch while driving. This habit known as “riding the clutch” allows the clutch to remain partially depressed which in turn causes the clutch to burn out faster than it should. In order not to have such an issue, avoid keeping the clutch pedal down unless you are changing gears. If your car has a footrest, use it, or else put your foot on the floor to avoid applying any pressure on the pedal.
Shift Gears Smoothly
Rough or sudden gear changes can prove to be an added pressure to your clutch. Use slick and gentle shifts and always make sure to press the clutch to the floor before changing gear and gently letting off the clutch as you depress the accelerator. Do not shift down gear quickly if it is not necessary because this will cause the clutch to wear out quickly. Another way that you can avoid a lot of wear and tear in your car is to learn to expect traffic patterns and to slow down or speed up appropriately where necessary to avoid a lot of gear changes that will wear your clutch.
Don’t Hold the Clutch at a Stoplight
It is always tempting to keep the clutch pressed in when at a traffic light, especially when you expect the light to turn green soon. However, this habit keeps the clutch engaged and wears them out faster than if the clutch was not pressed. Instead, what you should do is shift into neutral and let go of the clutch pedal since you are no longer in motion. Whenever the light turns green, press the clutch, change the gear, and go. This small change can increase the lifespan of your clutch by a great deal.
Do Not Overload Your Vehicle
Your Toyota has a certain permissible load capacity that it is designed to carry. Loading your vehicle with excessive weight or people strains the clutch and the drivetrain of your car. If you frequently tow large loads, you should check your owner’s manual to learn your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity and never exceed it. This way, you’ll be helping your clutch to last longer.
Get Regular Maintenance
A competent technician can catch a clutch that is beginning to wear out gradually, for example, slipping or making strange noises, and fix them early enough so that they do not necessitate huge expenses. Servicing at the right time helps ensure your clutch is working when you need it to.
Leave Your Toyota Clutch Repairs In The Hands Of VIC Auto Services
At VIC Auto Services, we know how
Our team of experienced technicians employs high-quality parts and quality tools in working on your clutch to meet its needs. Whether you’re bringing in your vehicle for a simple check-up, or you need a new clutch, you can expect quality and honest work from us. Call us today and make an appointment for your vehicle to be serviced or to find out more about how to keep your Toyota at its peak performance.