Effects of a Failing Clutch in a Mini Cooper
08 Apr, 20
Your Mini Cooper serves you well with its dynamic design and customizable features. It is important to you that every aspect of your Mini Cooper be working efficiently and in sync with the rest of its parts. You’ve worked hard to keep up with the maintenance on your car and try not to run it too hard, but you may notice signs that your clutch is beginning to fail. Let’s take a closer look at some of the symptoms of clutch failure in your Mini Cooper and discuss what you can do to fix the problem.
Signs of Clutch Failure
The clutch is a mechanical component that engages and disengages the transmission in your car. For manual transmission users, you engage the clutch every time you use your car. A clutch should typically last a car through a majority of its lifespan, between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. Depending on how rigorously you use your Mini’s clutch, it can wear down at different rates. When your clutch begins to fail, however, it will be obvious that it needs to be replaced.
Pedal is Too Loose or Too Sticky
If it is too loose or spongey, it could mean the clutch is nearing the end of its usage, as it should give a little bit of resistance when you try to push down on it. If it is too loose, it could cause issues while you’re trying to shift. If it is too sticky or sticking down entirely, it could make it very hard to shift into a different gear or even cause an accident if it gets stuck.
Slippery
If your car is beginning to slip between gears, your clutch is old and needs replacing. Your car should not feel like you can lose control of it at any moment while you’re on the road. The clutch is supposed to aid your car in remaining stable through gear shifts. If it is wearing out or failing, you will notice it will not give you the right amount of power you need to shift into a higher gear.
Difficulty Shifting Gears
If the clutch is failing, you will also notice a difficulty shifting gears at all. The clutch will either grind when you try to shift gears or you won’t be able to get the transmission into gear at all. This can indicate a multitude of problems with any part of the clutch or its attachments.
Odd Noises
Grinding or chirping is never a sound you want to hear coming from a car component. Grinding typically means something is either out of place and the metal is grinding, there might be low fluid causing friction, you may have worn out parts, or there is a break or hole somewhere in the system. Chirping can be due to a bad release bearing or the clutch fork and pivot stud. Fluttering or chattering of the clutch pedal itself is also common if there is damage to disc, pressure plate, pivot bearing, or flywheel.
Burning Scent
If you smell a burning odor at any time while driving, it is best to pull over, turn off your engine, and carefully check your car in a safe area off the roadway. Call an expert mechanic as soon as possible to get a tow. The burning scent could be due to the clutch disk lining being burned. The issues with your clutch can also start to cause your transmission to burn up.
Santa Barbara Autowerks Will Help
If your clutch is beginning to fail on your Mini Cooper, reach out to Santa Barbara Autowerks. We 
are the most trusted German Master Technicians in the Santa Barbara, CA area.
When you’re driving a German car, you expect high performance from their dynamic designs. To keep your Mini Cooper running in tip-top shape, call upon our trusted technicians who have made it their mission to provide the highest quality repair and maintenance with customer satisfaction guaranteed.
Our technicians have years of experience serving brands like Audi, VW, MINI, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, so you can trust that they’ll know your vehicle’s specific model’s intricate designs and mechanics. So schedule an appointment for service today and speak with one of our brand specialists for any questions or concerns.