What Could Be the Reason for a Sudden Loss of Clutch in a Car?
2 Answers
The most likely possibility is a broken clutch cable, or it could be a broken clutch plate. Below is an introduction to the car clutch: 1. Definition: The clutch is located inside the flywheel housing between the engine and the transmission. The clutch assembly is secured to the rear plane of the flywheel with screws, and the output shaft of the clutch is the input shaft of the transmission. 2. Classification: Clutches are divided into four types: electromagnetic clutches, magnetic particle clutches, friction clutches, and hydraulic clutches. 3. Principle: When starting the vehicle, the driver presses the clutch pedal, which pulls the pressure plate backward, separating the pressure plate from the friction disc. At this point, the pressure plate and the flywheel are no longer in contact, eliminating relative friction.
Once I had just started driving when I couldn't press the clutch pedal—it felt completely soft and spongy, making gear shifts impossible and stuck. It scared me so much that I immediately pulled over. This is usually a problem with the clutch hydraulic system, such as a leaking master cylinder, a ruptured seal in the slave cylinder, or low fluid in the reservoir causing loss of pressure. It could also be a mechanical issue like a burnt clutch disc or a disconnected linkage. Having this kind of failure while driving is extremely dangerous, especially in traffic jams or on highways. I immediately turned on the hazard lights to avoid rear-end collisions and avoided forcing the gears to prevent transmission damage. Later, the mechanic told me that it's important to regularly check the clutch fluid level and inspect the hydraulic lines for leaks. If any abnormality is noticed in the pedal, the car should be sent for repair immediately to avoid more expensive damage. This incident made me realize the importance of monitoring vehicle condition.
