# 2012 Chevrolet Cruze clutch freezes when temperatures drop **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chevrolet, cruze\ **Created:** [September 24, 2020, 2:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-chevrolet-cruze-clutch-freezes-when-temperatures-drop/170330 "2020-09-24T02:44:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![darryl17](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8dc957/32.png) [@darryl17](https://community.cartalk.com/u/darryl17)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 2:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-chevrolet-cruze-clutch-freezes-when-temperatures-drop/170330/1 "2020-09-24T02:44:19Z")
when the temp drops below frizzing the clutch freezes. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 1:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-chevrolet-cruze-clutch-freezes-when-temperatures-drop/170330/2 "2020-09-24T13:15:04Z")
Assuming that the clutch is hydraulically-operated, it is possible that the clutch master cylinder (and its fluid) is contaminated with water. That could explain the “frizzing” problem. ---
**Author:** ![oldnotdeadyet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a6a055/32.png) [@oldnotdeadyet](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldnotdeadyet)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-chevrolet-cruze-clutch-freezes-when-temperatures-drop/170330/3 "2020-09-24T20:23:22Z")
Hydraulic fluid is hygroscopic, meaning that the fluid will absorb moisture. You need to drain, fill and bleed the entire system (an easy 2-man job, I believe) and add fluid from a just-opened new can of fluid. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-chevrolet-cruze-clutch-freezes-when-temperatures-drop/170330/4 "2020-09-24T20:49:41Z")
… which, of course, leads to the obvious question of whether the OP has flushed his brake fluid every 3 years or so. 🤔 Being unable to move because of water in the clutch fluid can be annoying and inconvenient. Being unable to stop your car because of water in the brake fluid can be… fatal. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-chevrolet-cruze-clutch-freezes-when-temperatures-drop/170330/5 "2020-09-24T21:30:15Z")
All true, but has anyone here seen either brakes or clutch hydraulics freeze up from failure to change the fluid? Corrosion yes, but freezing? ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 10:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-chevrolet-cruze-clutch-freezes-when-temperatures-drop/170330/6 "2020-09-24T22:38:55Z")
How does it freeze? Does it remain engaged even when you step on the pedal or does the car not move when you release the pedal? ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 3:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-chevrolet-cruze-clutch-freezes-when-temperatures-drop/170330/7 "2020-09-25T15:32:13Z")
> [@texases](#): > > has anyone here seen either brakes or clutch hydraulics freeze up from failure to change the fluid? No, I haven’t seen it, but I am at a loss as to how else to explain the effect of “frizzing” weather on the clutch.