How long do clutches last?

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Our 91 accord is on the same clutch after 170k miles or slightly over that amount.

 

[Kadarin]

Depends on the driver, I think. A clutch in my old '83 Mustang lasted at least 100K miles (unknown whether the clutch was original when I purchased the car), and I drag raced this car extensively.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
Depends on the driver, I think. A clutch in my old '83 Mustang lasted at least 100K miles (unknown whether the clutch was original when I purchased the car), and I drag raced this car extensively.

What do you mean depends on the driver? As in, what things should they/shouldn't they be doing when shifting?

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
Depends on the driver, I think. A clutch in my old '83 Mustang lasted at least 100K miles (unknown whether the clutch was original when I purchased the car), and I drag raced this car extensively.

What do you mean depends on the driver? As in, what things should they/shouldn't they be doing when shifting?

It all depends on how the driver uses it. If they are riding their clutch, IE, leaving their foot on the petal, all the time, it'll usually go out quickly, If they don't, it'll last a while. Most people are somewhere at the end or in the middle. Idealy, you want to use your clutch petal quickely, precisely, and a little as possible. If you're doing clutch dumps (Reving them engine while in neutral to a high RPM, then putting the car in gear at the same time), driving in the wrong gear at excessivly high RPMS, etc, etc ,etc, expect it to go out fast.

 

[sharkeeper]

Depends on the length of the marriage.

Wait a minute! You're talking about a mechanical clutch in a car.

Cheers!

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
Depends on the driver, I think. A clutch in my old '83 Mustang lasted at least 100K miles (unknown whether the clutch was original when I purchased the car), and I drag raced this car extensively.

What do you mean depends on the driver? As in, what things should they/shouldn't they be doing when shifting?

It all depends on how the driver uses it. If they are riding their clutch, IE, leaving their foot on the petal, all the time, it'll usually go out quickly, If they don't, it'll last a while. Most people are somewhere at the end or in the middle. Idealy, you want to use your clutch petal quickely, precisely, and a little as possible. If you're doing clutch dumps (Reving them engine while in neutral to a high RPM, then putting the car in gear at the same time), driving in the wrong gear at excessivly high RPMS, etc, etc ,etc, expect it to go out fast.

Some people also have a driving style where they use lots of gas when they're in first and they're just beginning to move from a full stop, and allow clutch slippage to keep the engine from stalling. This'll eat up the friction material on the disc.

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
Depends on the driver, I think. A clutch in my old '83 Mustang lasted at least 100K miles (unknown whether the clutch was original when I purchased the car), and I drag raced this car extensively.

What do you mean depends on the driver? As in, what things should they/shouldn't they be doing when shifting?

It all depends on how the driver uses it. If they are riding their clutch, IE, leaving their foot on the petal, all the time, it'll usually go out quickly, If they don't, it'll last a while. Most people are somewhere at the end or in the middle. Idealy, you want to use your clutch petal quickely, precisely, and a little as possible. If you're doing clutch dumps (Reving them engine while in neutral to a high RPM, then putting the car in gear at the same time), driving in the wrong gear at excessivly high RPMS, etc, etc ,etc, expect it to go out fast.

Some people also have a driving style where they use lots of gas when they're in first and they're just beginning to move from a full stop, and allow clutch slippage to keep the engine from stalling. This'll eat up the friction material on the disc.

Not only that, but "engine braking" will eat a cluth too. I'd rather replace cheap brake pads than a clutch

 

[Siddhartha]

I had over 240 K miles on a Honda CRX with the original clutch when it was totaled in an accident. I replaced the clutch on a Integra GSR at around 160 K miles.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
Depends on the driver, I think. A clutch in my old '83 Mustang lasted at least 100K miles (unknown whether the clutch was original when I purchased the car), and I drag raced this car extensively.

What do you mean depends on the driver? As in, what things should they/shouldn't they be doing when shifting?

It all depends on how the driver uses it. If they are riding their clutch, IE, leaving their foot on the petal, all the time, it'll usually go out quickly, If they don't, it'll last a while. Most people are somewhere at the end or in the middle. Idealy, you want to use your clutch petal quickely, precisely, and a little as possible. If you're doing clutch dumps (Reving them engine while in neutral to a high RPM, then putting the car in gear at the same time), driving in the wrong gear at excessivly high RPMS, etc, etc ,etc, expect it to go out fast.

I'm learning to drive and I'll be getting my license in 2 months or so, so bear with me, hehe.

When I drive, I use the clutch when shifting, that too, I don't hold it there to long. When I make a stop at a light, I slow down and once the rpm goes to about 1k rpm or so, I press the clutch. My dad said to do that so that there is engine breaking as well and not just the brake pads alone. I hold it there for a second and then I switch to neutral as it stops near the end with just brake pads, not engine breaking at all in that case.

With what I described, is there anything wrong? Of course, I still have a ton of practice to do on the stick shift before I can drive without stalling, but I'm working on it

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: Astaroth33

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
Depends on the driver, I think. A clutch in my old '83 Mustang lasted at least 100K miles (unknown whether the clutch was original when I purchased the car), and I drag raced this car extensively.

What do you mean depends on the driver? As in, what things should they/shouldn't they be doing when shifting?

It all depends on how the driver uses it. If they are riding their clutch, IE, leaving their foot on the petal, all the time, it'll usually go out quickly, If they don't, it'll last a while. Most people are somewhere at the end or in the middle. Idealy, you want to use your clutch petal quickely, precisely, and a little as possible. If you're doing clutch dumps (Reving them engine while in neutral to a high RPM, then putting the car in gear at the same time), driving in the wrong gear at excessivly high RPMS, etc, etc ,etc, expect it to go out fast.

Some people also have a driving style where they use lots of gas when they're in first and they're just beginning to move from a full stop, and allow clutch slippage to keep the engine from stalling. This'll eat up the friction material on the disc.

Not only that, but "engine braking" will eat a cluth too. I'd rather replace cheap brake pads than a clutch

Rev the motor slightly while the clutch is fully engaged (disengaged? I get confused on proper terminology there.. I mean when the pedal is fully pressed). This will match engine rpm to transmission rpm when you drop to the next lower gear. Takes practice, but it will solve that problem.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
Depends on the driver, I think. A clutch in my old '83 Mustang lasted at least 100K miles (unknown whether the clutch was original when I purchased the car), and I drag raced this car extensively.

What do you mean depends on the driver? As in, what things should they/shouldn't they be doing when shifting?

It all depends on how the driver uses it. If they are riding their clutch, IE, leaving their foot on the petal, all the time, it'll usually go out quickly, If they don't, it'll last a while. Most people are somewhere at the end or in the middle. Idealy, you want to use your clutch petal quickely, precisely, and a little as possible. If you're doing clutch dumps (Reving them engine while in neutral to a high RPM, then putting the car in gear at the same time), driving in the wrong gear at excessivly high RPMS, etc, etc ,etc, expect it to go out fast.

I'm learning to drive and I'll be getting my license in 2 months or so, so bear with me, hehe.

When I drive, I use the clutch when shifting, that too, I don't hold it there to long. When I make a stop at a light, I slow down and once the rpm goes to about 1k rpm or so, I press the clutch. My dad said to do that so that there is engine breaking as well and not just the brake pads alone. I hold it there for a second and then I switch to neutral as it stops near the end with just brake pads, not engine breaking at all in that case.

With what I described, is there anything wrong? Of course, I still have a ton of practice to do on the stick shift before I can drive without stalling, but I'm working on it

Nothing at all wrong with that, once you get the hang of it. However, something to keep in mind is that it's usually cheaper and easier to replace brake pads than the clutch disc/pressure plate/throwout bearing (and resurfacing the flywheel).

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Also, when I stop, is it fine to go from 4th to 1st or 5th to first? Is there any need to drop down to 3rd on the way? I've heard mixed opinions about this so I'm not sure, my dad tells me to just go from 5th to 1st and there's no real need to get to 3rd then 1st.

 

[Walleye]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: rbloedow

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
Depends on the driver, I think. A clutch in my old '83 Mustang lasted at least 100K miles (unknown whether the clutch was original when I purchased the car), and I drag raced this car extensively.

What do you mean depends on the driver? As in, what things should they/shouldn't they be doing when shifting?

It all depends on how the driver uses it. If they are riding their clutch, IE, leaving their foot on the petal, all the time, it'll usually go out quickly, If they don't, it'll last a while. Most people are somewhere at the end or in the middle. Idealy, you want to use your clutch petal quickely, precisely, and a little as possible. If you're doing clutch dumps (Reving them engine while in neutral to a high RPM, then putting the car in gear at the same time), driving in the wrong gear at excessivly high RPMS, etc, etc ,etc, expect it to go out fast.

I'm learning to drive and I'll be getting my license in 2 months or so, so bear with me, hehe.

When I drive, I use the clutch when shifting, that too, I don't hold it there to long. When I make a stop at a light, I slow down and once the rpm goes to about 1k rpm or so, I press the clutch. My dad said to do that so that there is engine breaking as well and not just the brake pads alone. I hold it there for a second and then I switch to neutral as it stops near the end with just brake pads, not engine breaking at all in that case.

With what I described, is there anything wrong? Of course, I still have a ton of practice to do on the stick shift before I can drive without stalling, but I'm working on it

nothing wrong with that.

when i was learning clutch, my father (who is a car mechanic) told me to brake till 20 with the car in whatever gear i was at before i started braking... at 20, put the clutch in, pull to neutral, brake to stop.

it's not hard on the engine or the clutch.


what WILL kill your clutch is riding it constantly, which causes significant wear on the clutch, and results in a glazed clutch, or dumping the clutch repeatedly, which will just damage the clutch, and not really wear it properly.

 

[Walleye]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Also, when I stop, is it fine to go from 4th to 1st or 5th to first? Is there any need to drop down to 3rd on the way? I've heard mixed opinions about this so I'm not sure, my dad tells me to just go from 5th to 1st and there's no real need to get to 3rd then 1st.

5th should be overdrive, there's no reason to go from overdrive to first. if you're pulling off the freeway, it's better to bring it down to 4th anyway. gives you more control, and has greater drag and slows down the car quicker.

there's nothing wrong with going from 4th to first.

you need to remember, whatever speed the trannie's moving at,that's what speed the engine's moving at. you can keep braking with clutch out till such point where it lugs the engine. in my camry, i can brake till about 800 rpm. that's idle speed. as long as you keep it above idle speed, then you're okay. bring it below idle speed, push in the clutch fast before you kill it.

 

[BatmanNate]

It depends on if the driver is a ricer or not. Mine has lasted 135k, and still has some left.

 

[ThaChemist]

I just learned stick a year ago, so I thought I'd pass along a couple links that I've found really useful.

This should give you a good understanding of how the clutch is working. You'll know exactly when you're wearing your clutch, when you're wearing your pressure plate, etc. It helps to be conscious of those things.

This starts off pretty simple, and then gets into more advanced shifting topics. Worth a readthru at this stage, and then come back to it from time to time to try and pick up the other stuff (don't rush it). I'm still on rev matching...

hth

 

[GT1999]

I've driven stick on all the cars I've owned (only 2 though).

'85 F150 -- drove it for 2 years -- same clutch...
'92 Nissan Sentra (Current) -- bought in 2000 and it's still on the same clutch here at the end of 2003! I've only put 35k miles on it, however.

Most people can't even tell it's stick.

Smooth ridin'.

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: Geekish Thoughts
I've driven stick on all the cars I've owned (only 2 though).

'85 F150 -- drove it for 2 years -- same clutch...
'92 Nissan Sentra (Current) -- bought in 2000 and it's still on the same clutch here at the end of 2003! I've only put 35k miles on it, however.

Most of the people who drive in the passenger seat of my car can't even tell it's stick.

Smooth ridin'.

Wow, must be a two driver car, hunh? Do you have two steering wheels for you and the passenger that is driving in the passenger seat?

 

[GT1999]

It's late.. very late..

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: Geekish Thoughts
It's late.. very late..

No, it's early, very early

 

Way too many variables including but not limited to the following :


Climate
Driving style
Make, year of vehicle
Over all final drive ratios
1st gear ratio
Clutch material
Tire size
Weight of vehicle
Terrain
Engine/tranny mount rigidity
Pressure plate material
Flywheel material
Foot pounds of pressure plate pressure
Bellhousing rigidity

ETC.

 

[Doggiedog]

My roommate in college burned out his newly replaced clutch within 2 weeks.

He didn't know you were supposed to disengage the clutch and always drove with his in somewhat.

 

[StageLeft]

Not long if you're one of those useless dicks who uses the clutch instead of brakes to hold their car on a hill in anticipation of a light change!

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: Geekish Thoughts
I've driven stick on all the cars I've owned (only 2 though).

'85 F150 -- drove it for 2 years -- same clutch...
'92 Nissan Sentra (Current) -- bought in 2000 and it's still on the same clutch here at the end of 2003! I've only put 35k miles on it, however.

Most people can't even tell it's stick.

Smooth ridin'.

Are most of your friends blind?

 

[GT1999]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis

Originally posted by: Geekish Thoughts
I've driven stick on all the cars I've owned (only 2 though).

'85 F150 -- drove it for 2 years -- same clutch...
'92 Nissan Sentra (Current) -- bought in 2000 and it's still on the same clutch here at the end of 2003! I've only put 35k miles on it, however.

Most people can't even tell it's stick.

Smooth ridin'.

Are most of your friends blind?

When it's dark out people tend not to notice some things due to lack of light. If you have any more wiseass remarks be sure to let me know.