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.
Toyota
The Toyota Motor Corporation is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer, established in 1937, over 80 years ago.
How popular is Toyota in the United Kingdom?
Toyota was the first manufacturer to produce more than 10million vehicles a year, and it has continued to do so since 2012.
There are currently 1.7million on the roads in the UK—a number that has shown consistent growth since their introduction to the UK market.
High-quality motoring—right across the board
Toyota’s current range features luxury saloons, hatchbacks and SUVs, all of which are receiving the steady design upgrade from what were once sensible and steady looking vehicles, into sleeker looking executive sports lines, capable of turning heads at every junction.
Toyota: Market leaders in all-electric and hybrid motoring
Worldwide, Toyota is the market leader in hybrid electric vehicle sales. It’s introduction of the Prius in 1997, the first commercially mass-produced vehicle of its kind, set them on their way as leaders in the field. The UK is no exception, as there are over 80k Prius models on our roads.
There’s more to Toyota than good economy and sensible motoring
As much as the modern market leans towards family SUV motoring and super efficient hybrid fuel economy, don’t be fooled into thinking Toyota is stuck into a single groove.
For those who want more excitement than economy from their driving experience, Toyota makes a selection of cars with much more clout than their sensible city options.
Grab a Toyota GR Supra and you’ll be propelled from 0–62mph in 4.3 seconds using every ounce of its 335bhp. If you want a car that was built for fun and have a spare £52k to lose, then why not put one on your shopping list? As with other Toyota models, it offers great value for the amount of car you’ll be getting.
Toyota’s reliability and reputation
Toyota ranked 3rd place out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018. They were only just pipped at the post, and by less than 1% for the top spot, by Suzuki; 2nd place went to their very own luxury division, Lexus.
Recent Toyota recalls and reliability issues
Various recalls have been made on Toyota models throughout their motoring history. The following are a list of the most recent in the UK and Europe.
12/05/2019 – Toyota Yaris (2014–2017)
The wire harnesses of the side airbag sensors could crack and the wires may corrode
04/05/2019 – Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Corolla (2018–2019)
The emergency calling system may not be correctly installed
12/01/2019 – Toyota ProAce (2016–2018)
The tightening torque of the threaded connection between the ball joint and knuckle may decrease… and 2 other issues
23/11/2018 – Toyota Aygo (2005–2014)
The glass on the rear door is not properly glued
23/11/2018 – Toyota Yaris, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Picnic and Toyota Avensis (2001–2006)
The ammonium nitrate propellant used in the airbag inflator may degrade over time due to heat cycles
23/11/2018 – Toyota Corolla/Verso and Toyota Avensis (2001–2006)
The airbag control module for the supplemental restraint system has been assembled with application-specific integrated circuits that are susceptible to internal shorting
17/11/2018 – Toyota Auris HV and Toyota Prius/Plus (2010–2014)
Due to a software error in the ECU, the vehicle may not enter in a fail-safe driving mode
16/11/2018 – Toyota GT86 (2012–2013)
Due to a production error of the valve sprint, performance load may exceed the valve spring’s fatigue strength and may fracture
All recall information sourced from gov.co.uk data.
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