If your vehicle has a manual transmission, you will enjoy benefits such as better fuel efficiency. In addition, if you like a more engaging driving experience, then a vehicle with a manual transmission will step to the plate. However, be prepared for added costs of maintenance because manual transmissions will require more attention than their automatic counterparts will. Extra maintenance is required because the clutch on manual transmissions is susceptible to develop problems related to wear and tear. These problems, if unattended, will become severe and cause further issues in your vehicle. For this reason, here are some of the warning signs that your clutch requires attention.

Soft/Spongy Clutch

If your clutch feels soft or spongy when you step on it, this could be a sign that it's faulty. When driving your car, be keen on how the clutch feels when you step on the pedal and how far you let it out before the gear engages. A spongy feeling and a clutch that's let out most of the time is an early sign of failing.

Slipping Clutch

A slipping clutch is one of the most obvious signs of a failing clutch. A slippage means that a gear will disengage, especially when it's under a heavy load. A slipping clutch is a serious issue that you should attend to as soon as you diagnose it because continual slippage can result in higher heat levels, leading to more wear and tear.

A clutch slip will occur when the pressure plate wears out. The plate is a material that transfers heat from your transmission and engine to your wheels. Some of the signs that your clutch is slipping include a sudden change in the height of the clutch pedal and a sudden change in speed when you aren't accelerating the vehicle.

Trouble Shifting

If you have troubles shifting from one gear to the next, you are operating with a faulty clutch. Some of the most common shifting problems may be experienced in the reverse and first gears. The clutch can also become stuck and fail to release properly. If you hear some grinding noises when shifting the gear to the next highest one, then you have a stuck clutch.

Another problem associated with troubles shifting your gears is a hard clutch. If you need to apply more-than-usual pressure on your clutch pedal to fully engage a gear, have the clutch checked by your mechanic.