What are the tell tale signs a clutch is failing?
As with any of the mechanical components of a car that has moving parts, a clutch or more specifically components of a clutch, is prone to wear out through extended use over time or through misuse. The clutch should allow for a smooth and quiet operation to change gear by disengaging the engine (via the flywheel) from the gearbox. However, there are some warning signs that a clutch is worn or is wearing out:
- Difficult to change between gears
- The clutch 'slips', causing a brief dip in acceleration
- Clutch sticks or vibrates when the pedal is depressed, it feels spongy
- Unusual noises, such as a squeak or a grumbling noise when the pedal is depressed
- The engine rev's normally, but acceleration is poor
If you are experiencing any of the above issues, it's very likely your clutch needs attention and it's best to get it looked at before it ends up breaking down altogether. It is a routine repair for a skilled and qualified mechanic, in fact, Hopkins Car Repairs are dealing with a spate of clutch and gearbox problems currently. Please get in touch if you are experiencing any issues.
What could cause my car’s air conditioning to not work as well as it used to?
Air conditioning systems in car's are actually very reliable, however, they can lose their efficiency and can result in blowing warm air through the vents rather than cool air, not great on a hot summer day. The cause of the loss of efficiency can often be due to a loss of of gas from the system which is a perfectly normal occurrence.
Fortunately, it's not an expensive job to have the air conditioning system recharged to replace the refrigerant gas and get your aircon working well again. If you're vehicle's aircon is not as cool as you remember, Hopkins Auto Repairs can check the gas level and, if required, recharged the gas. We can also check for leaks and other potential issues at the same time. Find out more about our Air Conditioning service.