Cottman of Waldorf

If you own a four wheel drive vehicle, or something that requires a power output, such as a tow truck, you're probably very familiar with what a transfer case is. For the rest of you, a transfer case mounts directly behind the transmission, to redirect torque from the transmission to other systems. In a four wheel drive, the transfer case redirects torque to the front and rear axles, to allow all four wheels to drive the vehicle. On many vehicles, it's the device that allows you to choose whether you're in two wheel drive or four wheel drive. Whatever the use, a transfer case is an important part of many different types of vehicles. But since all the torque to the wheels has to run through the transfer case, a problem with the transfer case can appear very similar to a transmission failure: It can keep your vehicle from moving at all. But that's okay, because the technicians at your nearby Cottman center are well versed in transfer case repair. They understand how those transfer cases operate and know how to diagnose and repair them to like-new operation. And, most important, they know how to identify the root cause of your vehicle's condition, to see whether it's in the transmission or the transfer case. So, when you bring your vehicle to your local Cottman center, you'll never pay to have your transmission rebuilt when the problem's actually in the transfer case. If you're experiencing a problem with your vehicle's drive system, and you aren't sure whether it's in the transmission or transfer case, relax: Just bring it to your nearby Cottman center for a complete diagnostic evaluation. Don't wait; do it today!

he number one enemy of automatic transmissions is heat. Nothing will destroy an automatic transmission faster than allowing it to overheat. To help reduce that heat, nearly every automatic transmission has a transmission cooler, usually mounted in one of the radiator tanks. Hot transmission fluid flows into the transmission cooler, where it's surrounded by coolant. That heat is absorbed by the coolant, where it'll eventually be released to the air passing over the radiator fins. The cooled transmission fluid then returns to the transmission to keep the transmission operating at a safe temperature. On most cars, that factory cooler provides enough heat transfer to protect the transmission. But over time those coolers can plug or crush, restricting flow and reducing the amount of heat it can release. On other vehicles, the load placed on the transmission ends up generating more heat than the factory cooler was designed to handle. Cars that pull campers or work trucks are common situations where the factory cooler just doesn't provide adequate heat transfer to keep the transmission cool enough. In those situations, the answer is usually simple enough: add an auxiliary cooler to the system. These are generally small heat exchangers that replace the factory coolers. They usually mount in front of the radiator, and transfer heat from the transmission fluid directly to the ambient air passing over their fins. Your local Cottman center technicians can examine your car or truck, and let you know whether an auxiliary transmission cooler would be a worthwhile investment to help protect your automatic transmission. And, if you decide to have one installed, they can take care of finding one with the right capacity, and installing it on your car or truck. There's nothing more deadly to your automatic transmission than heat. But your friends at your nearby Cottman center can help you protect your transmission against heat damage, to keep your transmission operating for years to come.

Sometimes it's called a transmission flush; other times it's an automatic transmission fluid exchange. Whatever name you prefer, it's a real service with real value... one that can help add years to the life of your automatic transmission. Of course, there are a lot of folks who'll argue that point. They'll swear that changing the transmission fluid — no matter how you do it — will destroy your transmission. And they have some pretty inventive arguments to support their views. They're wrong. The reason some people have problems after a transmission service is because they waited too long to have it serviced in the first place. They waited until they had a transmission problem, then had it serviced. But once the problem showed up, it was too late. A transmission service — whether it's a simple oil-and-filter change or a complete transmission flush or fluid exchange — is a maintenance item. You have to do it regularly, before a transmission problem rears its ugly head. Any professional transmission technician will tell you that servicing your automatic transmission regularly will add years — and miles — to your transmission's life. That's why the technicians at your nearby Cottman center are careful to check every transmission... before they agree to service it. They know that, once a problem has shown up, a service is a crapshoot: Maybe it'll buy you time, but it's a gamble. The best way to get the most miles out of your automatic transmission is to have it serviced regularly. And a transmission flush or fluid exchange service is a terrific way to replace that old, worn out fluid with new, fresh fluid. To learn more about getting your transmission serviced or to schedule an appointment, call your local Cottman center today.

The term '4x4' generally means four wheel drive. It's based on the idea that the vehicle has four wheels and all four can provide power to drive the vehicle. What sets 4x4 systems apart from all wheel drive is that 4x4 systems are selectable; that is, you can choose whether to operate them in two wheel drive or four wheel drive. Generally the transmission is the same on 4x4 and regular two wheel drive systems. The power is split behind the transmission using a transfer case. The transfer case then sends power to two separate differentials: one in the back and one in the front. Of course, that doesn't mean there aren't some important differences between 4x4 transmissions and regular rear wheel drive transmissions. For one thing, capacity: a 4x4 transmission needs to be able to handle a lot more load than many two wheel drive transmissions. Another is that, because these transmissions have a transfer case built into the drivetrain, diagnosis can be a lot more complex. Very often the transfer case can mimic transmission problems, which can lead to unnecessary repairs if you don't know what to look for. That's why you should bring your 4x4 to your local Cottman center when you're having a drivetrain problem. Their technicians are very familiar with every 4x4 system on the road today. They know how to analyze their behavior, and they can isolate problems in the transmission and transfer case. So, when you bring your 4x4 to your local Cottman center, you can be sure you'll never pay for transmission repair unless you really need your transmission repaired. And that's a common situation, because most cars and trucks that come into a Cottman center with a 'transmission' problem don't actually need a transmission repair. That's okay, too, because your technicians at your nearby Cottman center are only too happy to get you back on the road... no matter what was causing the problem. So, if your 4x4 seems to be behaving badly, get it over to your nearby Cottman center. They'll do whatever's necessary to get you back on the road, fast!

AWD, 4WD, 4x4, FWD, RWD... the drivetrains on today's cars is a veritable alphabet soup of abbreviations. Probably the most confusing is the difference between a four wheel drive and all wheel drive. We could get into all the technical nuances between the two, but for most people the difference is pretty simple: Four wheel drive (4WD or 4x4) allows you to select whether to send power to all four wheels or just two. All wheel drive is just that: All wheel drive, all the time. Of course, there are a lot of differences under the car. For example, all wheel drive is generally based on a front wheel drive transaxle. That means all wheel drive vehicles don't need a separate front differential; the differential for the front wheels is built into the transaxle. But you only care about two things: Is my car working right, and where can I take it if it isn't? Fortunately you can get the answer to both questions at one place: your local Cottman center. Their technicians can help you determine whether your all wheel drive transmission is working the way it's supposed to, and they can fix it if it isn't. That's important, because there's a lot more involved in operating your all wheel drive transmission than just what's inside the transmission. Today's transmissions are computer controlled, which means that there are all kinds of things that can affect how your transmission works. Many of them might seem to have nothing to do with the transmission itself. Which means a very small problem might appear much bigger than it really is. A simple loose connection or a faulty sensor can cause your all wheel drive transmission to stop working properly. And a less experienced technician might not realize that the repair is something simple. Your nearby Cottman center's technicians know all about the latest transmission control systems, and they know how to weed out those external problems that can seem like a bad transmission. Which means, when you bring your all wheel drive transmission problem to your local Cottman center, you'll never pay for a new transmission unless you really need one. That's our promise to you.

Cottman has been your neighborhood transmission repair center since 1962, so no one can offer you more experience repairing today's automatic transmissions than your local Waldorf, MD Cottman center, located at Waldorf, MD. Now, we could try to tell you why transmissions rebuilt by Waldorf, MD Cottman are better than anyone else's - and we believe they are! - but you really don't care about what makes our transmissions better. You don't care that we use the highest quality clutches and rebuild kits available... it doesn't matter to you that we include all the latest updates to bring yesterday's transmissions up to the newest standards... you probably don't even care all that much about our commitment to technical training and certification. What you do care about is that we understand how difficult it can be when your transmission stops working. So, when you bring your car to Waldorf, MD Cottman center, your comfort and convenience are our biggest concerns. We'll make sure you get your car back promptly to keep that inconvenience to a minimum. And we'll make sure that your car is working right before we give it back to you. Most important, we'll check your transmission problem thoroughly before we recommend a transmission rebuild. Because today's transmissions aren't like the ones we worked on back in 1962. Back then, if the transmission slipped or wouldn't shift, you could be pretty sure it needed to be rebuilt. Today, most transmissions are operated by a web of electrical wiring and computer controls. Even a simple loose connection or blown fuse can cause problems that many less-experienced technicians could mistake for a transmission failure. But at Waldorf, MD Cottman, you'll never pay for a transmission unless you really need a transmission. Our technicians will examine every possibility... run down every lead... to make sure that our final diagnosis is the right one. That's our promise to you. If you have a question about your car's transmission or you'd like to set up an appointment for our free transmission checkup, call Waldorf, MD Cottman right now.

A CVT, or Continuously Variable Transmission, is completely different from anything you're probably used to. And the first time you drive one, it's downright weird! When you take off from a stop, the car begins to accelerate normally, with engine and vehicle speed increasing as you apply the gas. Then, as you continue to accelerate, engine RPM stops increasing while the car keeps moving faster. It's a strange feeling that takes a little getting used to. The CVT operates with two variable pulleys and a special belt running between them. The pulleys open and close, adjusting their effective circumferences. The belt moves in or out along the pulleys, altering the transmission's effective ratio. CVTs have fewer moving parts, creating a "simpler" design. But their biggest advantage is to provide a continuous variety of ratios. So cars with CVTs can always adjust their ratio to match road conditions and engine RPM precisely. While the design may be simpler, CVTs bring an entirely new set of requirements to the transmission technician. And no one has more experience with CVTs than your local Cottman center technicians. They began to learn about CVTs the moment the first ones rolled off the assembly lines, back in the late '80s. And they kept up with the changes to these units as they became more common... and more diverse. Today nearly every manufacturer offers at least one continuously variable transmission for their cars. And that means there are dozens of different ones on the road. That's okay: Your nearby Cottman center technician has all the technical data for each of those transmissions at his fingertips, so, no matter which car you drive, they have the skills and the knowledge to diagnose and repair them right. If you have a car with a CVT, and it isn't acting the way you've come to expect, there's just one name you need to remember: Cottman.

Today's cars aren't just a miscellaneous assortment of parts; they're a carefully integrated series of systems designed to work together as one. Which means that a transmission isn't just a transmission — every one is unique. Take the transmissions designed for use with diesel engines: These are heavy duty transmissions that have been specifically modified to provide optimal performance within the diesel engine's unique power band. At Waldorf, MD Cottman, located at Waldorf, MD, our technicians are eminently familiar with the unique characteristics of today's diesel transmissions. We know how they work, and we know how to fix them when they don't. We have close ties with the manufacturers of the latest clutch technology, to enable us to build a diesel transmission that'll hold up for years and years under the additional load of a diesel engine. And, just as with gas-fueled cars and trucks, today's diesel engines and transmissions are controlled by computer systems. At Waldorf, MD Cottman, we have access to the most up-to-date diagnostic information and equipment for those computer control systems, allowing us to analyze and identify problems that can affect your transmission. So, regardless of the engine — diesel or gas — at Waldorf, MD Cottman, we'll diagnose your transmission problem right... the first time. And you can be sure that you'll never pay for a transmission unless you really need a transmission. That's our promise to you. If you have a question about your diesel transmission or would like to set up an appointment for our free transmission checkup, call Waldorf, MD Cottman right now.

Some cars just need a transmission: a basic, right-out-of-the-box type of automatic transmission. Others need more. They need the pure pulling power that's only possible with a heavy duty transmission. What type of vehicles? Well, trucks used for hauling, sure. Plowing? Check. Same for tow trucks and many construction vehicles. But heavy duty transmissions aren't just for trucks. If you tow a boat or camper - particularly if you take it over mountains or rough terrain - your car or truck might be a good candidate for a heavy duty transmission. And your friends at Waldorf, MD Cottman will be only too happy to help. We can turn nearly any basic transmission into one that'll be sure to hold up to whatever you can throw at it, often without a large investment. At Waldorf, MD Cottman, we have access to a wide range of clutches and transmission parts - from factory standard to racetrack ready, and every step in between. And we have the knowledge and the experience to evaluate your personal driving characteristics and build a transmission tailored precisely to your needs. Give us a shot: Bring your car or truck to Waldorf, MD Cottman, located at Waldorf, MD. Explain your situation in as much detail as you'd like. Let us know what type of driving you expect to do. We'll come up with the exact modifications to build a transmission that'll stand up to everything you can throw at it... and more. And we'll do it without altering your driving comfort. Your transmission will still engage and shift the way you've come to expect, without any harsh operation. And all at a price you can afford. If you'd like to discuss ways to strengthen your car or truck's transmission, or would like to set up an appointment to have your heavy duty transmission checked or serviced, call Waldorf, MD Cottman right now.

Manual transmission... standard transmission... stick shift... all different names for the same type of drivetrain. The more correct term is manual transmission, because you shift it manually instead of it shifting on its own like an automatic transmission. The term standard transmission comes from a time when an automatic transmission was an option that you had to pay extra for when you bought the car. The manual came "standard." And stick shift? Isn't that one obvious? Whatever you'd like to call them, the manual transmission enjoyed a resurgence a few years ago, when gas prices took their historic rise. That's because most people believe that a manual transmission is generally more efficient than an automatic. Unfortunately for those folks who went out and bought new cars with manual transmissions, that's really no longer the case. Only the most experienced, skilled drivers will be able to nurse better gas mileage out of a manual transmission than they can get from most of today's automatics. Of course, there are still those people who just enjoy the feel driving a stick. Shifting gears manually makes them feel like they're an integral part of the driving experience. Whatever the reason you have for owning a car with a manual transmission, when you have a problem with your car's transmission, there's only one name you need to remember: Cottman. Because the technicians at your local Cottman center are experts with manual transmissions. They understand how they work, and they know how to fix them when they don't. So if your car's manual transmission is having problems — anything from grinding gears to not moving at all, and anything in between — give your nearby Cottman center a call. They'll be happy to check it out and let you know exactly what it'll take to get you back on the road and shifting gears again.

You go out in the morning, start your engine, put the transmission in gear, give it a little gas, and you're off on your merry way. Sounds simple, doesn't it? But there's actually a lot going on to get the power from your car's engine down to the wheels to drive the car. And even more to make it seem that simple! The last piece of the puzzle to get power to the wheels is the axle. That's the part that connects the differential to the wheels, transmitting torque to turn the wheels and drive the car down the road. Once, not so long ago, those axles were fairly simple: just a solid piece of metal that rode on bearings. Sure, the bearings might need replacement after a while, but the axles themselves generally didn't need a lot of attention. Then came independent suspension and front wheel drive. All of a sudden the axle had to flex vertically to compensate for up-and-down movement while driving along the road, and horizontally to compensate for changes in direction. All while continuing to provide the torque to keep the wheels turning. That's when constant velocity joints, or CV-joints, came into play. And they require a lot more attention than the earlier style axles. That's okay, because your local Cottman center technicians are familiar with every type of axle on the road. They know how to recognize problems with them, and how to fix them when they aren't operating properly. And, maybe most important, they know when it's smarter simply to replace them instead of wasting money trying to fixing them. If you've been experiencing problems with whirring, grinding, or clicking noises from around the wheels — particularly if those noises only show up when you turn the steering! — give your local Cottman center a call. Let them know exactly what your car's doing, and they'll check for any problems with the axles or axle bearings. And, if they find a problem, they'll help you choose the smartest way to repair that problem, and get you back on the road... fast!

Once upon a time, axles were a solid piece of steel or iron. The differential turned the axle and the axle turned the wheel. Simple. Today, thanks to the addition of independent suspension and front wheel drive, axles don't just have to rotate. They have to flex wile rotating and they have to do it smoothly in every direction, no matter how extreme the angle. That's why manufacturers created the constant velocity joint, or CV-joint. It allows the axle to twist and bend while continuing to provide power to the drive wheels. At your local Waldorf, MD Cottman center, we're very familiar with CV-joints. We've been working on them since they first showed up over 30 years ago. Since then, parts have become more accessible and prices more reasonable. So at Waldorf, MD Cottman, we can not only repair your car or truck's CV-joint, we can do it at a great price. Of course, not every car needs a new CV-joint. The most common problem with a CV-joint is a torn CV boot. That's the part that keeps the grease in and the dirt out. At Waldorf, MD Cottman, we can examine your car's CV-boots. If they're torn, we can check the CV—joint and see if it's still in good condition. If so, we'll clean out the dirt, repack the CV—joint with new grease, and replace the CV boot with a new one. If the CV—joint's worn out or damaged, we'll repair it or get you a new axle, and all at a terrific price. If you have a question about your car's CV-joints or boots or would like to set up an appointment your CV-joints and boots checked or repaired, call Waldorf, MD Cottman right now at 301-710-5971.

Every car and truck on the road today has some sort of differential. Some are built into the transaxle while others are separate components that connect the transmission output to the drive wheels. But what exactly is a differential? When you turn a corner, the wheels on the outside of the turn drive farther and rotate faster than the wheels on the inside. The differential is what allows the drive wheels to turn at different speeds while still supplying torque to the wheels. To do this, the differential uses a series of gears that can rotate in relation to one another while still transmitting power. Sure, it sounds complicated, but it's an important part of what enables your car or truck to drive around a curve without having the tires skip and slide along the road. The good news is that there's really only one thing you need to know when it comes to your car or truck's differential: The technicians at your local Cottman center understand everything there is to know about differentials... even the limited slip differentials used in many of today's cars or trucks. They know how to test them, and they know how to fix them when they aren't working properly. Everything from a simple leak to a complete rebuild, the technicians at your nearby Cottman center can find and fix the problem, and get your car back on the road, fast. Think your car may have a differential problem? Not sure what's wrong? No problem: Call your local Cottman center and let them know what your car's doing. They'll check your car, and if it's the differential, they'll let you know exactly what it'll take to get it your car working the way it did the day you drove it off the showroom floor.

Cottman welcomes National Accounts and Local Fleets. With a legacy of service that dates back to the birth of Cottman in 1962, we have had a single mindset: Take great care of your customers and they will see to it that you thrive. And thrive we have, from the humble first Cottman center 50 years ago on Cottman Avenue until today, we have serviced millions of vehicles nationwide and we invite you to join all our satisfied customers by allowing us the privilege of serving you today. The added benefits Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care brings to your fleet is the convenience of one stop shopping, so you save time and money with every visit. Your Cottman center can also advise you of manufacturer recommended scheduled maintenance at the appropriate mileage intervals. The CarCheck Plus we perform serves as a comprehensive overview of your fleet's needs, and is designed to keep you rolling trouble-free in between service intervals.

There’s a lot more to transmission repair and service than simply rebuilding your car’s transmission. In fact, these days, most cars that come into Waldorf, MD Cottman with a “transmission” problem don’t actually need a new transmission. That’s why Cottman now offers total auto care service… because you really don’t care what’s causing your car’s problems: You just want someone you can trust to fix them right… the first time. And that’s exactly what you can expect when you bring your car to Waldorf, MD Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care center. At Waldorf, MD Cottman, we’re only too happy to provide those services and repairs for you. We’d much rather keep your car on the road and running right, because we know that’d make you happy… and a happy customer is more likely to come back again and to refer his friends and family: a win-win for both of us. So, whether your car is having transmission troubles or something altogether different, there’s only one shop you need to remember: Waldorf, MD Cottman…your friends in the auto repair business. Here’s a list of some of the services we offer, and the types of transmissions and drivetrain components we service. Click the link to learn more about of the services or systems listed. I’ve noticed a problem with my car, but when I take it to the repair shop, the problem isn’t there. How can I show the technician what it’s doing?

Your car's engine compartment is a miserable environment, combining extreme temperature variations and caustic chemicals, roadway dust projectiles and driveline vibrations. And that's the environment where your car's hoses and belts reside. Not much wonder that those rubber components have a limited lifespan! And those rubber components are necessary to keep your car running dependably. The belts drive your car's critical systems: They pump coolant through the cooling system, keep the battery charged, provide the power to the power steering system, and drive the air conditioning compressor. The hoses connect your vehicle's engine to the chassis, allowing coolant to flow from the engine's water jacket to the radiator and heater core. A blown hose will allow that coolant to leak out, potentially causing catastrophic overheating to the powertrain in seconds.

When it comes to your car, there’s no system more important than your brakes. Think that’s an overstatement? Consider this: You go out one morning, get behind the wheel, and… nothing. No lights and the engine won’t start. Sure, it’s annoying and inconvenient, but it’s something you can live with. But if you’re driving down the road and suddenly the brakes stop working, well, that’s a whole different situation… a situation you never want to have to face.

Two cars come into a repair shop: One won't crank or cranks really slowly when you turn the key; the other starts fine but the transmission operates erratically. Which one needs a new battery? Truth is, there's no way to tell yet. It could be both or it could be neither. The one that won't crank? That could be due to a bad battery, or maybe it's just low on charge. Or it could have dirty battery cables, a bad starter... in fact, there's a whole list of things that could mimic a bad battery. The erratic transmission? Believe it or not, that could be caused by a battery problem too, even if the engine cranks and starts just fine.

For some shops, the terms “repair,” “rebuild,” and “replace” all mean the same thing when it comes to your transmission. To them, it basically means you’re going to spend a lot of money… whether you need to or not. It doesn’t have to be that way, because many transmission problems are the result of something that doesn’t really require a complete rebuild or replacement. But that means that the technicians working on your car have to understand how the transmission works, and how to fix it when it stops working. At Waldorf, MD Cottman, transmissions are our main thing. We’ve spent years learning exactly how they operate and how to diagnose problems right down to their source. Sometimes that means you need a transmission; other times it means you don’t.

The noise you hear coming out from your car's engine is ominous. Something's going on under the hood, and from the sound of things, it isn't good. But you hope against hope that it's something small... something that won't cost a lot to fix. That hope comes crashing to the ground when you hear the words, "internal engine damage." You may not know a lot about cars, but you know that, whatever's actually wrong, fixing it isn't going to be cheap. You just want to know one thing: How can you get back on the road without breaking the bank?

When you think about your car's steering and suspension, you know about the steering wheel, and you're familiar with the tires. What goes on between the two is probably a little murky. Normally that's okay; you don't have to understand the principles of operation to drive a car. Where it becomes a problem is when you start to notice something different in the system, because the steering and suspension are what keep your car sitting up and driving where you want it to go. But that's no problem, because the technicians at your nearby Cottman center are fully versed in all the most common power steering and suspension systems... from early ball joint and steering box units through the latest MacPherson and steer-by-wire systems. So, if you have a problem with your car's steering or suspension — anything from something as simple as a little extra free play in the steering to a more serious ride or handling problem — the technicians at your local Cottman can examine the system and make a recommendation to bring it back into factory-fresh operating condition. Having a problem with power steering "morning sickness" — that hard steering that only shows up on cold mornings? Maybe you're noticing unusual tire wear? Whatever the problem, their technicians know how to analyze the steering and suspension systems and can make a reasonable repair recommendation for you. And even if you aren't noticing a problem right now, their technicians will be happy to examine your car's power steering and suspension for any signs of looseness or wear, to make sure they find and fix those problems long before they begin to affect your driving safety. So if your car isn't steering or handling the way you've come to expect it to, there's only one name you need to remember: Cottman. Give them a call today to have your car's power steering and suspension checked.

There's a silent killer in your automobile. It can strike without warning, making you sick or, if ignored long enough, even take your life. It's your car's exhaust system. Wait, silent? When an exhaust system leaks, don't they make a lot of noise? They used to, but today nearly every exhaust system on the road has a catalytic converter. And those converters reduce noise a lot, even before the exhaust reaches the muffler. So your car could be leaking exhaust gasses without you even realizing it. Those exhaust gasses include carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of nitrogen. Each of those gasses can make you sick... or worse. And today they can be leaking out under your car without you even noticing it... until it's too late. That's a great reason why you should bring your car to your local Cottman center for all your service and maintenance requirements. Because their technicians are well aware of just how easily the exhaust could be leaking, without making any unusual noises. They know what to look for, and they check the exhaust each time you bring your car in for service. And, if they find a problem with your car's exhaust or muffler, they have the tools and the experience to replace it and make sure that the exhaust system retains its original integrity. So you won't have to worry about raw exhaust leaking into your car for you to breathe. Not sure whether your car's exhaust is in proper working condition? Or maybe you noticed a little engine noise or rattle from underneath your car that you never heard before? Call your local Cottman center today and explain your problem. They'll get you right in and, if they find something wrong with your exhaust or muffler, they'll work up an estimate to get your car fixed right... right away. So protect yourself and your family from that silent killer lurking below: Bring your car to your nearby Cottman center to have the exhaust system checked.

Driving a car with a manual transmission is almost more of a dance than simply putting the car in gear. You press the clutch, move the shift lever, and release the clutch slowly while increasing the throttle just to get the car to begin to move. And every shift requires pressing the clutch and releasing the gas, while you hold the steering with one hand and shift the transmission with the other. Every limb must synchronize to drive the vehicle... a dance in multiple gear ranges. Part of the dance involves your left foot pressing and releasing the clutch pedal. But exactly what is a clutch? A clutch is a friction device that connects your car's engine to the transmission. Pressing the clutch pedal releases the clutch, which separates the engine and transmission. This is what allows you to come to a stop without stalling the engine. It also makes shifting gears a lot easier.