If your vehicle has a manual transmission, then it means you need to use a clutch pedal to manually switch gears as you’re driving. This is different than an automatic transmission where there is no clutch pedal because it switches gears for you automatically.
There are pros and cons to each transmissions system. Years ago, one of the best things about a manual transmission is that it allowed a vehicle to be more fuel efficient than its automatic counterpart. As automatic transmission technology improved (including dual clutch transmissions), that it typically not the case anymore.
However, an automatic transmission can’t match the driving enjoyment and connectivity a driver has with their manual transmission car. But we’re not here to argue that.
Operating a clutch and manual transmission requires a driver to be more involved simply because more actions are needed to be taken while driving. For instance, when you bring the car to an idle state, such as stopping at a stop light, you need to press the clutch and shift it into neutral to disengage the engine.
When you’re ready to move again, you need to push in the clutch pedal and shift into first gear. If the proper actions are not taken at the right times, you could be in the wrong gear where you may be lacking power or unnecessarily wasting fuel.
Because the clutch pedal is used so much, it can end up out of adjustment. As you continue to use your vehicle, the clutch pedal suffers a lot of wear and tear. Eventually, this may cause the clutch to slip which leads to premature disengagement. To resolve this issue, your clutch pedal may need to be adjusted to bring it back to its normal position.
See Also: 13 Reasons Your Clutch Pedal is Stiff
Self-Adjustment
The type of clutch adjustment that you perform will depend on the type of clutch assembly that you have in your vehicle. If it’s a hydraulic clutch pedal, then it should come equipped with a self-adjustment clutch assembly. It is much easier to perform the adjustment on this assembly because it doesn’t require you to have mechanical skills.
To get started, turn the engine on and keep it running. Make sure the parking brake is engaged. Now just use your toe to lift the clutch pedal upward from underneath it. This will activate the self-adjustment technology, which often causes the pedal to be higher than normal.
Push the pedal down with your foot like normal and put it into gear to test the results. Pay attention to how far the pedal must go down before it lets you change gears. If it seems okay, then the self-adjustment must be working fine. Otherwise, you’ll need to perform a manual clutch adjustment.
Manual Adjustment
To start a manual pedal adjustment, the engine first needs to be turned off. Make sure the emergency brake is activated. When you sit in the front seat, you’ll want to position your head so that you can see a little bit under the dashboard. Next, push the clutch pedal down with one of your hands until it’s near the floorboard. Hold this position.
Search the clutch structure for a big hook-like component. You’ll probably find this on the clutch shaft toward the top of it. While maintaining pressure on the pedal, pull the hook with your one free hand until you hear a click. Now take your first hand off the clutch pedal.
The adjustment should now be completed. Go test the results and see if the slippage has gone away.
Read Also: What Is Double Clutch Shifting?
Conclusion
Performing these adjustments is not really difficult at all. It just requires someone with a little confidence who isn’t afraid to mess with the clutch assembly.
You don’t need to have auto mechanical skills if you follow these steps closely. But if you’re someone who doesn’t feel comfortable reaching underneath the dashboard of their vehicle, then you should have another person perform this adjustment for you.
This could be a friend, family member, or professional mechanic.
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