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.
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer.
It is part of the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance but has had connections with many other vehicle manufacturers throughout its history—as shareholders, part owners, and suppliers of parts and components.
How popular is Mitsubishi in the United Kingdom?
Mitsubishi celebrated 100 years of automotive manufacturing in 2017 and has created a solid position for itself in the UK market with around 350k vehicles on the roads today.
Making a mark in an SUV orientated market
The selection of Mitsubishi models does feature the Mirage hatchback and the L200 pickup, but the rest of the range is predominantly SUVs. Even the Mirage has strong SUV overtones.
And why not? They’re sturdy, versatile and roomy enough for families of all sizes, and the Outlander PHEV is perfect for company car drivers with its low fuel bills and plenty of interior space.
Outlander PHEV: The world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV
In 2013 Mitsubishi introduced the world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV. As a company that continues to make significant breakthroughs in driving technology, their work with renewable fuel types is establishing them as a leader in ecological systems.
The Mitsubishi Shogun: the beginnings of the SUV generation
The roots of the Shogun can be traced as far back as 1934 with a prototype for the Japanese Government, but it wasn’t until the Tokyo Motor Show in 1973 that Mitsubishi presented their first commercial prototype.
The Shogun was launched in 1982, and along with other 4x4 originals: predominantly by Land Rover, Jeep and the Toyota Land Cruiser, it helped boost the popularity of rugged go-anywhere motoring into the mainstream.
Mitsubishi’s reliability and reputation
Mitsubishi ranked joint 4th out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018. This wasn’t a great surprise, as the Japanese and Asian brands stormed most of the top 10 places in this field, showing them to be well ahead in making the most reliable vehicles in the market.
Recent Mitsubishi recalls and reliability issues
Various recalls have been made on Mitsubishi models throughout their motoring history. The following are a list of the most recent in the UK and Europe.
18/11/2018 – Mitsubishi ASX (2011–2012) Mitsubishi Outlander (2008–2012)
The flange area of the engine’s multi-belt auto tensioner may crack under high-load driving conditions
17/11/2018 – Mitsubishi Outlander (2006–2012)
Due to temperature and humidity, the adhesive material between the sunroof glass and outer frame may weaken.
09/11/2018 – Mitsubishi ASX (2018) Mitsubishi Outlander, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (2017–2018)
The software in the active stability control system may be faulty
06/10/2018 – Mitsubishi Outlander/PHEV (2015–2016)
The door lock mechanism in the door latch might not operate properly in high temperatures
06/10/2018 – Mitsubishi Outlander/PHEV (2015–2016)
The engine control relay unit or valve lift control relay can heat up abnormally
28/03/2018 – Mitsubishi ASX (2011–2018)
The weld between the rear muffler and the tailpipe may crack
17/08/2018 – Mitsubishi ASX (2010–2014)
The front deck is not waterproof and water can drop onto the wiper link
03/08/2018 – Mitsubishi ASX, Mitsubishi Outlander/PHEV (2013–2016)
The parking brake lever shaft might become stuck due to corrosion
All recall information sourced from gov.co.uk data.
Free collection & delivery
