MANUAL TRANSMISSION DRIVING TIPS
TO EXTEND
THE SERVICE LIFE OF YOUR NEW CLUTCH
1. Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal.
Pressure applied to the clutch pedal can cause the clutch to slip and reduce the service life of the clutch release bearing.
2. Do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle on a hill.
Use the vehicles brakes. Holding the vehicle on a hill with the clutch causes prolonged slipping and this will wear out the clutch prematurely.
3. Shift into neutral upon approaching stops.
If traffic and road conditions permit, consider shifting into neutral and hold the vehicle with the brakes at longer interval traffic lights. When the light changes select first gear and drive away.
4. Downshifting as braking.
Downshifting can be used to reduce the speed of the vehicle; however, excessive or aggressive use of downshifting can increase the wear on the clutch. Consider using the brakes and shift into a lower gear to match engine RPM’s and road speed.
5. Do not lug the engine and drivetrain.
Lugging is driving in a higher gear (4th or 5th for example) when road speed requires a lower gear to correctly match the engine RPM’s to the road speed. The use of a higher gear than the engine speed and road speed requires is called lugging and creates unnecessary strains on the engine, clutch and transmission.
6. Pickup trucks must not exceed the vehicles gross vehicle weight rating.
Carrying or towing excessive loads will reduce the clutch service life. The GVWR can be found on the drivers side door or pillar on the certification label.
7. Starting loaded pickup trucks in motion.
If equipped with a creeper gear transmission, the lowest gear should always be used to start the truck from a standing start when loaded. Using the correct gear to start the truck moving reduces wear on the clutch.
8. Refer to your owner’s manual.
Your owner’s manual will contain any required adjustment or scheduled service
requirements.
Clutches, when properly used, will provide a long and trouble free service life with
a minimum amount of maintenance or driver attention.
Use caution and sound judgment when driving any vehicle!
