How many clutches are in a car?

Most cars have one clutch if they’re manual, two if they use a dual‑clutch transmission (DCT), and several internal clutch packs if they’re conventional automatics—though the driver typically operates none of those. The exact number depends on the transmission type and, in some cases, on hybrid or all‑wheel‑drive hardware. Below, we break down what “clutch” means in different drivetrains and how many you can reasonably expect in each.

What counts as a clutch?

A clutch is a device that connects and disconnects rotating components, most famously the engine and gearbox in a manual car. In modern vehicles, clutches can be driver‑operated (the pedal in a manual) or automatic and internal (multi‑plate clutch packs inside an automatic or a center coupling in AWD). When people ask “how many clutches,” they often mean the driver-visible clutch for shifting gears, but many cars contain additional clutches that work behind the scenes.

Common setups and how many clutches they have

The following list summarizes typical passenger-car transmission types and how many clutches they use, distinguishing between the driver-facing clutch and internal clutch packs.

• Manual transmission (MT): One clutch. A single dry friction clutch sits between engine and gearbox, operated by the pedal.
• Automated manual (single-clutch AMT): One clutch. Mechanically similar to a manual, but a computer actuates the same single clutch for you.
• Dual-clutch transmission (DCT/DSG): Two clutches. One handles odd gears, the other even gears; can be dry or wet multi-plate. No clutch pedal.
• Torque-converter automatic (traditional AT): Multiple internal clutches. Typically several (often 4–6) wet multi-plate clutch packs and brakes manage gear changes, plus a torque-converter lock-up clutch. No clutch pedal.
• Belt/chain CVT: Varies by design. Many modern CVTs use a torque converter with a lock-up clutch (no pedal); some use a wet “starting” clutch (generally one). Hybrids using eCVT power-split units may have none.
• Electrified/hybrid systems: Depends on architecture.
  – Toyota-style eCVT (power split): typically no conventional clutches.
  – “P2” parallel hybrids (e.g., some Hyundai/Kia, Mercedes): usually one main disconnect clutch between engine and motor, and sometimes an additional clutch for gear range—so 1–2.

In practice, a driver will encounter one pedal-operated clutch only in a manual. DCTs have two clutches but operate automatically, and conventional automatics hide several clutch packs inside the transmission.

Other clutches you might not be thinking about

Beyond the transmission, modern cars often use clutches elsewhere in the drivetrain or auxiliary systems, which can add to the total count even though they aren’t involved in gear changes the way a manual clutch is.

• AWD center coupling: Many on-demand AWD systems (e.g., Haldex-style) use a multi-plate clutch to engage the rear axle.
• Limited-slip differentials: Clutch-type LSDs use clutch packs to control wheel slip.
• Transfer cases (trucks/SUVs): May contain clutch packs to modulate torque between axles or ranges.
• Accessory drives: Some air-conditioning compressors use an electromagnetic clutch, though many newer variable-displacement units do without it.

These clutches don’t affect how you shift gears but can influence traction, efficiency, and accessory operation, raising the “total clutches in the car” beyond the transmission alone.

How to tell what your car has

– Count the pedals: three pedals usually means one manual clutch; two pedals means any automatic, DCT, CVT, or hybrid with automated clutches.

– Check the transmission type in the owner’s manual or spec sheet: terms like “DCT/DSG” imply two clutches; “8-speed automatic” implies multiple internal clutch packs; “eCVT” in Toyota/Lexus hybrids usually means no conventional clutches; “CVT” may use a torque converter or a starting clutch depending on the model and year.

– Look up the transmission code: for example, VW “DSG” or Ford “Powershift” are DCTs (two clutches); ZF 8HP is a torque-converter automatic with several internal clutches; Nissan Xtronic CVTs in many models use a torque converter with a lock-up clutch.

Bottom line

If you mean the familiar driver-operated clutch, most cars have one only when they’re manual. Dual-clutch cars have two, but no pedal. Conventional automatics and many CVTs have multiple internal clutches you don’t control. Hybrids can range from none to a couple, depending on design.

Summary

Manual cars: one clutch. DCTs: two. Traditional automatics: several internal clutch packs plus a lock-up clutch, with no pedal. CVTs and hybrids vary—some have none, others one or more. The exact number depends on the drivetrain architecture rather than the car itself.

How many types of clutch are in a car?

Also Read:

Multi-Plate Clutch	Cone Clutch
Electromagnetic Clutch	Centrifugal Clutch
Hydraulic Clutch	Single Plate Clutch

Does a car have two clutches?

Yes, there are two clutches, but simply having an extra clutch doesn’t really explain how a transmission can select more than one gear at a time. The twin clutches are arranged concentrically – meaning one sits within the circumference of the other, crucially enabling them to both work on the same input shaft.

How much does it cost to replace a clutch in a car?

Replacing a car clutch generally costs between $800 and $3,000, with a common average falling around $1,500 to $2,500, but costs depend on your vehicle’s make and model, the specific parts needed, the shop’s labor rates, and whether a dealership or independent mechanic performs the work. Roughly half the cost is for the clutch kit, with the other half being the labor involved in the complex process of replacement. 
Factors influencing the cost:

• Vehicle Type: The make and model of your car significantly affect the price, as parts and labor vary greatly between different vehicles, like luxury cars or trucks. 
• Parts Included: A clutch replacement isn’t just the clutch disc; it may also include the release bearing, pilot bearing, and sometimes the flywheel. More parts mean higher costs. 
• Labor Rates: Hourly labor rates for mechanics vary by location and expertise, with a significant impact on the total bill. 
• Shop Type: Dealerships typically charge more for labor than independent repair shops. 
• Performance Requirements: Some cars, especially high-horsepower or luxury vehicles, may require a more expensive high-performance clutch, increasing part costs. 

What’s typically included in a clutch replacement:

• Clutch Disc: The friction component that connects the engine to the transmission. 
• Pressure Plate: An assembly that applies pressure to the clutch disc. 
• Release Bearing (Throw-out Bearing): Engages and disengages the clutch when you press the pedal. 
• Pilot Bearing/Bushing: Centers the transmission input shaft within the crankshaft. 
• Flywheel (sometimes): If the flywheel is damaged or worn, it will also need replacement, adding to the cost. 
• Associated Fluids and Springs: Other smaller components that may be part of the system and require replacement. 

How many clutches do cars have?

A typical dual-clutch system uses two wet multiplate clutches, removing the need for a torque converter. This means your vehicle can seamlessly change gears as one clutch engages while the other disengages, meaning there is no break in the gearbox’s output.