How do you know when to replace the clutch?

[tommyx2]

Hi guys,

looking to get some opinions. I'm wondering when one decides they need a new clutch?
my car has 217,000km on it and I am the first owner of my 2010 Mazda3 GS hatchback.
the clutch has never been changed.

Recently I've been noticing bad shifting on 2nd gear (possibly due to me or possibly the car is old enough that parts start to worn out?)

so hoping the forum members can help me decide whether or not I need a clutch replacement?

Thanks in advance.

[Flagrum_3]

@tommyx2 Signs of a worn clutch can include hard shifting as you stated and most prominent in 2nd or 3rd. But most notable would be slipping under load with possibly the smell of something burning.

You can test the clutch by placing it under load. At moderate speed throw it into 3rd and accelerate relatively hard, if its slipping you'll see the revs go up but not much acceleration.

I just changed mine out at 319k, but started noticing slight slipping a little earlier and also a hard shift into 3rd gear.

_3

[gta_driver]

If it's hard to get in / out of a gear, it could be a sign that the clutch is nearing the end of its life.

But a more tell-tale sign is either:

1. When you press the accelerator, the RPMs go up, but the car doesn't pull - means clutch slippage, needs replacement.

2. When you cannot get the car in/out of gear, certain clutch components could have failed (such as release bearings).

If those two conditions are not met, keep on driving. Did you ever change transmission oil? Might be an idea.

[CloudPump]

If it's hard to get in / out of a gear, it could be a sign that the clutch is nearing the end of its life.

This is usually more of a sign of worn out synchros, a bad pressure plate, a bent shifter fork... a bad clutch disc itself is usually just slippage.

(although a bad pressure plate will lead to the exact same thing: a clutch replacement)

-Geoff

[tommyx2]

Wow! Thanks guys for the response!

The car still pulls when I floor it on 3rd....possibly just bad driving habits when shifting to 2nd.

I'll continue to monitor it. +3xxkm?!? That's awesome! Hopefully I can get there.

Thanks again

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

[ski-guru]

any sort of slipage in any gear is a good sign that the clutch is worn and needs to be replaced. The clutch shouldn't slip at all in any gear when you are not depressing the clutch pedal.