Posted on 1/30/2026
A lot of drivers hear the word clutch and immediately picture a third pedal and a stick shift. Then someone says an automatic has a clutch too, and it sounds like a contradiction. The truth is a little more interesting than a yes-or-no answer. Automatics do use clutch components, just not in the way most people imagine, and knowing the difference can help you understand odd shifting, slipping, or that high-RPM feeling that shows up at the worst time. What Most People Mean When They Say Clutch In a manual transmission, the clutch is a single friction disc that connects and disconnects the engine from the transmission. You press the pedal, the disc releases, and you can change gears. Let off the pedal, and the disc grabs again so power goes to the wheels. That is why people associate clutch problems with a slipping feeling, a burning smell, or difficulty getting into gear. When you drive an automatic, you do not have that pedal, but the transmission still has to enga ... read more