Since 1976, Ford Fiestas have been one of the most popular cars produced by Ford. Even though they are reliable, they still break down and require maintenance. The clutch can be a big repair, read on to find out more about the clutch on a Ford Fiesta, along with its maintenance and replacement.
How Long Should a Clutch Last on a Ford Fiesta?
A clutch in a Ford Fiesta will usually last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. However, some have been known to go for over 200k! Driving an average of 13,000 miles each year means the clutch should last 4-8 years.
The lifespan of a clutch hinges largely on how the car is driven. If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving in heavy traffic, your clutch will wear down sooner than if you mainly drive on the highway.
It depends on your driving style. Clutches on automatic Ford Fiestas usually last longer than those with manual transmissions because manuals are usually driven harder. However, with the right driving habits, clutches on manuals can last just as long or longer than clutches on automatic Ford Fiestas.
Also read: Manual or Automatic- which Transmission Last Longer?
How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Clutch on a Ford Fiesta?
It costs anywhere between $800 and $1600 to replace the clutch in your Ford Fiesta. However, this price may increase if the replacement requires a new flywheel or a resurfaced flywheel. The cost breakdown averages around $150-$200 for parts and $600-$900 for labor.
If you have the right tools and help, you can replace the clutch yourself and save significant money (see the section below on replacing the clutch yourself)
How Long Does it Take to Replace a Clutch on a Ford Fiesta?
Replacing the clutch in your Ford Fiesta should take between two and four hours, depending on how experienced the mechanic is and whether any extra parts are needed. For many people. It will take longer to set up an appointment to get a clutch changed than actually replacing the clutch.
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However, if you decide to replace the clutch yourself, it can take less than two hours or up to eight hours. Your experience and the tools you have at your disposal are what you should think about when deciding where to replace your clutch.
Can you Replace a Clutch on a Ford Fiesta by Yourself?
The answer to this question is yes, but it may be difficult depending on your level of expertise. If you are experienced with car repairs, then replacing the clutch should not be too difficult. Many people choose to replace the clutch themselves because it can save them money by only being charged for labor, not parts.
If you are not comfortable doing the repair yourself, many mechanics will do it for a relatively low price. It is best to shop around before settling on a mechanic.
If you decide to replace the clutch in your Ford Fiesta yourself, you can buy, rent, or borrow all the right tools and parts online or at an auto shop, which makes getting started pretty simple.
The basic tools you’ll need to replace a clutch are a car jack, a set of ramps or jack stands, wrenches, sockets, a breaker bar, and various screwdrivers. You will also need some specialty tools like a transmission jack and a clutch alignment tool. These tools can be rented from most auto shops.
Before removing the clutch, always reference an official repair guide before working on your car. Also, be sure to practice safety precautions in all steps of the process. Below are some general steps to replace a Ford Fiesta clutch by yourself:
- Disconnect and remove the battery and battery housing
- Remove the air filter housing
- Disconnect the MAF sensor
- Unbolt the ECU
- Remove the bolt for the earth lead
- Use a support beam to support the engine
- Remove the three top gearbox mount bolts
- Lift the vehicle and remove the front tires
- Drain transmission fluid
- Remove the cables for the gear selection mechanism (on the side of the gearbox)
- Disconnect the drivetrain
- Support the gearbox and remove then remove the gearbox, using a transmission lift
- Access and replace the clutch
Replacing the clutch on your own can be a fun and challenging project that will save you money if you do it right. Correct preparation, the right tools, and a friend to give you a hand will help you succeed in replacing your Ford Fiesta’s clutch by yourself.
Also read: How Long Should Clutch Last? How Much is a New Clutch?
Do Ford Fiestas Have a Shorter Clutch Lifespan than Other Cars?
Compared to the clutches in other cars, Ford Fiestas do not have a shorter lifespan. In fact, with the right driving habits, Ford Fiestas can have just as long or longer of a lifespan for their clutches. Since Ford Fiestas have been around so long, it’s been the car of choice for many generations.
This also means that there is a lot of information on how to take care of them and what kind of problems you may run into with this type of vehicle.
If you are driving around town with no problems, then there’s no problem continuing to drive your Ford Fiesta, odds are it will drive and shift smoothly even with minimal wear on the clutch. Even though Ford Fiesta clutches are generally reliable, you may still have to replace the clutch unexpectedly, especially if you buy the car used and don’t know its driving history.
Many owners of the 2013 Ford Fiesta note cutch problems well before 100,000 miles. So, if you have a 2013 model, be more cautious about the health of your clutch and keep an eye out for any signs that it is starting to wear down.
Also read: Are Fords Good Cars? (and Models to Avoid)
How Long Can You Drive with a Bad Clutch in a Ford Fiesta?
Once a clutch starts to go out or slip, you usually can’t drive it more than 100 miles. This is because the clutch will wear out quickly and can damage other parts of your Ford Fiesta. If you think your clutch is going bad, take it to the mechanic or work on it yourself as soon as possible to have it replaced.
What are the Symptoms of a Bad Clutch?
If you’re unsure whether or not your clutch is bad, here are some common symptoms that may indicate a problem: your car jerks when you start driving, your car doesn’t move when you put it in gear, your car won’t go into reverse, or you hear a loud noise when the clutch is engaged. If you experience any of these symptoms, bring your Ford Fiesta to a mechanic immediately for diagnosis and repair.
Other common symptoms are difficulty shifting gears and the engine revving but the car not moving, these are all common signs that your clutch may be going out.
What Causes Premature Clutch Failure on a Ford Fiesta?
Watch out for the things that can cause premature clutch failure, which are:
- Driving in extreme weather conditions,
- Driving with a low fluid level for your transmission
- Not replacing worn clutch parts when necessary
Parking on hills or inclines can cause stress to the drivetrain that may lead to premature failure of other components connected to the clutch, like the driveshaft or engine. This is especially true if you are parked uphill but facing downhill because there’s no way for gravity to help move the car without being in gear. Not checking your transmission fluid often enough will also shorten the clutch’s lifespan by causing it to wear out early.
Finally, wearing clutches need an upgrade every so often, which means they should be replaced well before their expected life span has passed, just as preventative maintenance would have suggested avoiding any issues later down the line.
Also read: 3 Things Happening if You Keep Driving with a Bad Clutch
How to Use a Clutch on a Ford Fiesta to Extend Its Lifespan?
The best way to prevent your clutch from going out is smart driving habits and preventative maintenance. These two things will go a long way in making sure your clutch lasts as long as possible.
To use the clutch properly in a vehicle with a manual transmission, you should depress it to the floor before shifting gears. Make sure that when you’re done with your shift, you slowly release the clutch pedal until it’s fully disengaged from the flywheel. Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving or let it up partially – this will cause unnecessary wear and tear on your clutch.
The best practices in automatic vehicles that preserve the clutch include not speeding up or slowing down too fast, coming to a full stop before changing between gears, and waiting for the gears to engage before taking your foot off the brake when changing between drive, neutral, and reverse.
By using your clutch properly and following these tips, you can help extend its lifespan significantly. Ford Fiesta clutches usually last around 100,000 miles if they are taken care of correctly, but using a little bit of extra caution and being smart about how you drive can extend it even longer than that.
Conclusion
Clutches on the popular Ford Fiesta are typically reliable. Though they still break and go out occasionally. With the right information, you can help prevent this from happening to your clutch. Follow the guidelines above and remember a bad clutch is not only inconvenient but also costly. The Ford Fiesta is a good choice of car for clutch reliability.
