What does a clutch do? And what is a clutch kit?
The clutch is a solid metal disc that couples the crankshaft and flywheel to the gearbox’s clutch shaft. The clutch is located between the engine and transmission to temporarily disconnect the engine drive from the gearbox.
A clutch kit usually contains all the elements to replace and rejuvenate your clutch and its performance: usually a clutch disc, pressure plate, flywheel and a throw race or release bearings. A clutch kit will contain the correct parts for a particular make and model of car and is often cheaper than buying the components individually.
How often should a clutch need replacing?
There isn’t a typical time or set mileage suggested to replace a clutch kit, as it can depend on both the car and your driving style. Most clutches are designed to last approximately 60k miles, yet they can have a healthy life covering mileages anywhere between 30k and 100k.
The law, vehicle regulations and your MOT
A damaged or broken clutch will affect your car’s driving ability to the point where it could fail its MOT. Testing doesn’t include an examination of the engine, clutch or gearbox, so if it appears to be working adequately, then it shouldn’t affect the test result.
What causes a clutch to stop working correctly?
A clutch will wear out over time through continual use. The disc thickness reduces, which affects the amount of force the pressure plate can apply to the clutch disc against the flywheel. Incorrect use over extended periods will impact the lifespan and cause unnecessary problems. Slippage can also be caused by reduced tension in the pressure plate’s springs.
Symptoms of a malfunctioning clutch
The clutch slips while driving
If you feel a loss or inappropriate delivery of power when using the accelerator, it could be due to a damaged or worn clutch.
Changing gears is a problem
If you can’t change gears or it feels like there is unusual grinding and friction when trying, your clutch isn’t separating the engine drive from the gearbox sufficiently.
The car doesn’t move
If there is no delivery of power to the engine from the accelerator, then your clutch could be the problem.
Your gearbox makes unusual and unhealthy noises
If the transmission makes unhealthy grinding noises when you try to use the clutch to engage or disengage the engine, there’s a strong chance that your clutch isn’t operating as it should.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German global car manufacturer and a division of Daimler AG. They were established over 100 years ago in 1926 and have grown to be the biggest selling premium vehicle brand in the world.
How popular is Mercedes in the United Kingdom?
The number of Mercedes cars on the road in the UK continues to rise, reaching 1.9million by the final quarter of 2018. There are almost 5 times as many Mercedes cars on the road as there were in 1995, showing just how popular this marque has grown to be.
Helping these powerful statistics on their way, the Mercedes A-Class was announced as the 8th best selling car in the UK in 2018. The premium family hatchback is vying for position against the ever-popular VW Golf—the current leader in this class.
Premium executive models of every shape and size
Mercedes deliver hatchbacks, saloons, estates and coupés at every size from their A- to E-Class ranges, as well as executive SUVs, the V-Class MPV, and of course, a more than desirable selection of convertibles and roadsters.
With prices rising to well over £100k, Mercedes cars are a great contender as the executive car of choice.
Mercedes has always been a keen player within the F1 championship, taking their first 2 titles back in 1954 and 1955. Through the 1990s they joined forces with McLaren as an engine provider and part owner, bringing titles for both Mika Häkkinen and Lewis Hamilton and a constructors championship in 1988.
Their current and outright domination of the sport began in 2014, as a team in their own right, it has featured 5 straight constructors titles, with Lewis Hamilton taking 4 world championships and Nico Rosberg taking the other in 2016.
Mercedes’s reliability and reputation
Mercedes ranked 26th place out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018 with an efficiency rating of 88%. You could be forgiven for expecting German efficiency to rank higher through the marques, however, most of the top 10 places were occupied by Japanese and Asian manufacturers.
Recent Mercedes recalls and reliability issues
Various recalls have been made on Mercedes models throughout their motoring history. The following are a list of the most recent in the UK and Europe.
25/05/2019 – Mercedes-Benz AMG GT and Mercedes-Benz CLS (2017–2018)
The riveting of the front seat belt housing covers may inadequate under low temperatures
18/05/2019 – Mercedes-Benz x-Class (2017–2019)
Defective operating manual can cause the roof load to be exceeded if a canopy is subsequently fitted
18/05/2019 – Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (2018)
Missing cover on the sliding door of the stowage space
12/05/2019 – Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2018)
The rear door spoiler may not be secured enough due to an adhesive bond
04/05/2019 – Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Mercedes-Benz GLC F-Cell (2017–2018)
The sleep mode functionality of the electronic parking brake within the stability program software may be defective
19/04/2019 – Mercedes-Benz V-Class (2019)
The passenger airbag cover on the instrument panel ins inadequate
19/04/2019 – Mercedes-Benz X-Class (2017–2018)
The foot space lamp on the driver’s side can become detached
13/04/2019 – Mercedes-Benz V-Class Marco Polo (2017–2018)
There is a possibility of red rust corrosion on metallic components of the roof frame reinforcement
All recall information sourced from gov.co.uk data.
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