Are you having difficulty in engaging the gear of your BMW? If it is becoming more difficult to engage or disengage your BMW’s gears and move from one position to another with ease, your clutch may be wearing out. One of the signs that you need to fix your clutch is delayed engagement but what other signs should you look out for? This article will take you through how you can know your clutch needs attention and why you should delay this repair. Let’s start with understanding the function of your BMW’s clutch.
What is a Clutch and How Does it Operate?
The clutch is crucial in cars with manual transmission whether it is a BMW model or other brands and it enables smooth gear change in the car. It links the engine to the transmission and allows the driver to regulate the amount of power that is to be delivered to the wheels. In the absence of a functional clutch, it becomes challenging to drive your BMW.
Like most mechanical components in BMWs, the clutch is always bound to wear out with time and constant use. In fact, every time you use the clutch pedal to shift gears, the friction will wear out just a little bit of the material. Over time this results in a slipping, sticky, or unresponsive clutch; a condition that needs attention.
Clues That Your BMW Clutch May Need a Fix
- Hard Shifting: Difficulty changing gears is one of the clear signs that the clutch in your BMW is worn out. If you find that you have to push a gear harder than you normally do or if the gear lever is stiff this could indicate that the clutch plate is worn.
- Slipping Gears: Another symptom that is associated with clutch problems is slipping gears. If your car revs up but does not move faster or if there is poor acceleration when changing gears, it could be that the clutch is worn out. This occurs when the clutch has failed to provide a firm connection between the engine and the transmission.
- Unusual Sounds While Changing Gears: Grinding sounds while changing gears may suggest that the clutch is worn out or damaged. This sound happens due to the failure of clutch plates to disengage fully when shifting, thereby creating friction and noise in the transmission system.
- Clutch Pedal Goes Soft: A soft or spongy feel when you step on the clutch pedal means that the clutch is failing. If the pedal feels different from how it used to, for instance, needs less pressure or goes to the floor, then it is either the clutch hydraulic system is leaking or the pressure plate is bad.
- Burning Smell: A burning smell especially when shifting gears is a clear indication that there is something wrong with your BMW. This is usually caused by a clutch that is slipping which then results in more friction and high temperatures. Make sure the clutch is replaced as soon as possible.
- Vibration: If you experience any kind of vibrations or shuddering while operating the clutch or while shifting gears, then you might be in trouble since the clutch may be damaged. This symptom points to a warped clutch plate or a pressure plate that is failing.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Failing Clutch
If clutch issues are not addressed, they may worsen and require more extensive and expensive work. A bad clutch will affect the performance of your BMW and can even harm the transmission system of the car. In extreme cases, clutch failure can cause a jerk and can put you at risk of an accident on the road. If you are able to detect the problem early and repair it before it worsens, you will be able to save money and also ensure that your BMW is roadworthy.
Let Hagan’s Motor Pool’s BMW Experts Maintain Your Clutch
The clutch is one of the most important parts 
of your BMW, and recognizing the first signs of failure can help you avoid excessive expenses and potentially dangerous situations on the road. At Hagan’s Motor Pool, we have experience in dealing with clutch problems, particularly with BMW vehicles. Our professional mechanics will do everything necessary to make sure that your clutch is in perfect condition. We are located in Rochester, NH, and help BMW car owners from neighboring cities like Berwick, Alton, Barrington, and Dover, NH. If you have any suspicion that there are issues with the clutch, do not hesitate to contact us for a proper check!