In an autombile - what is a pressure plate & what does it do?

Answer 1

Here is a good photo

http://www.tractorjockey.com/parts.img/P1000524-Clutch_pressure_plateFord2000.jpg

(Pressure plate on the left,clutch disk on the right.)

The pressure plate is on one side of the clutch disk,the flywheel
is on the other.The pressure plate is withdrawn when you depress the clutch pedal.When you release the clutch pedal the heavy springs in the cover push the pressure plate and the clutch disk is "sandwiched" between the pressure plate and the flywheel.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

A pressure plate is part of the clutch. It is the part that rubs against the flywheel of the engine to transfer the power to the transmission. When you step on the clutch petal the pressure plate is pulled away from the flywheel and when you slowly release the clutch petal the pressure plate touches the spinning flywheel and starts spinning as the friction increases the pressure plate increases in speed until it is completely engaged and goes at the same speed of the flywheel. If it is worn down and has gotten slick it will slip against the flywheel and this is what is commonly referred to as a slipping clutch.

Answer 3

In a manual transmission, the pressure plate is the part of the clutch that engages the flywheel on the engine.

Answer 4

Yup...What "Jim R" said is exactly right.. Give him 10 points.
He beat me to it.
Those other guy should stick to what they know.