Clutch Slipping

Q: My problem is that sometimes my car seems to be struggling to speed up even though my foot is right down on the pedal. Even if I downshift to a lower gear (I have a manual transmission) it doesn’t help. There is also a burning type smell coming from the front of the vehicle.

A: Your clutch and/or pressure plate may be worn out. The clutch is the connection between the transmission and engine. When a clutch is slipping, you can get a burning smell and the car will not accelerate as designed.