Your BMW’s clutch is part of the transmission. Driving a BMW with a manual transmission is a ton of fun. You feel in control of the automobile. To prevent the clutch from wearing out prematurely, bring your BMW to our shop every 6,000 miles for a clutch adjustment. When the clutch needs to be replaced, you will notice one or more of the following problems.
Changes in the Pedal Feel
The clutch pedal can start to feel differently underneath your foot if it is going bad. In most cases, the clutch will feel softer and sink to the floor. In some cases, the clutch may give you more resistance. Either way, it is important to have the clutch inspected as soon as possible. If caught early enough, we may be able to rebuild the clutch so it doesn’t have to be replaced.
Changes in the Bite Point
Another change in the clutch pedal feel is an adjustment in the bite point. This will happen all by itself. All of a sudden, you will notice that the bite point is higher than it used to be. This is a sign that the clutch is wearing out internally and needs to be replaced.
Burning Odors/Overheating
The clutch may also start to slip if it is too old. When this happens, you will detect burning odors inside your BMW. Unfortunately, this is an indication that the clutch is overheating and slipping before you release it. Consequently, this returns the power to the engine prematurely and causes all sorts of problems.
Problems Shifting Gears
One problem is that you will find it difficult to change the BMW’s gears. The power needs to be with the transmission in order to facilitate a smooth gear shift. If the clutch has slipped and the power has returned to the engine, the gear may grind when you shift it and you may feel resistance in the gear shift. In fact, you may feel as if you are forcing the BMW’s gears to change.
Problems Accelerating
Finally, if the clutch is slipping, you will also have problems accelerating the BMW. In this case, the BMW will lag when you press down on the accelerator and release the clutch. This is a sign that the power is with the engine instead of the transmission. In other words, the clutch has slipped.
Give us a call today to set up a service appointment for your BMW if you are having problems with the clutch.