Well, My clutch is gone....

[Aeain]

Was going to head up to Vandalia which is straight up I75 and maybe 30 mins away. Well, I was going to pick some guys up and I went to pick them up and I heard/felt something that was wrong. The clutch was slipping before but, it just seemed really weird this time. So, I took it into Saturn and they agreed after a test drive that the clutch is shot.

Well major problem number one on my ION Red Line, Clutch is gone at 7298 miles. I am getting the Camshaft Position Sensor Gasket Recall done too. They are going to have to order a clutch and overnight it. Hoping I can have my car back for Prom on Saturday.

[Sp00ner]

Free repair? I'm assuming not...

[alredline04]

Thats just insane that the cluch would go that fast. Mine still feals band new at 12,000 miles. I dont know anything about clutches. I have a frien who is an engineer at GM and I asked him about putting a bigger clutch in my car. He asked me how many miles you got? At the time I had 7,000. He tells me it is just getting broken in.

[Sp00ner]

No offense to Aeian, but it is his first stick... that's is real fast though. I learned on an old TransAm with a new aftermarket clutch.

[Aeain]

Originally Posted by Sp00ner

Free repair? I'm assuming not...

It better be or I am raising hell.

[Sp00ner]

Originally Posted by Aeain

It better be or I am raising hell.

Did they act like it was a defect? Or did they just say it's burned out? Most places wont replace a clutch, kinda like brake pads, but every situation is different.

[Aeain]

Originally Posted by Sp00ner

Did they act like it was a defect? Or did they just say it's burned out? Most places wont replace a clutch, kinda like brake pads, but every situation is different.

Well, I can't be sure. I was really upset when talking to the Service Advisor. I tried to bring that up to my mother and the finance guy who we are good friends with. He said that it should be covered, but, I don't know how accurate he can be.

[jmichna]

Aeain,
I feel your pain... but, are you new to driving a manual transmission? It seems that a number of posters at our forum are new to driving stick shift.

When I learned to drive stick shift, one rule I was taught right at the very beginning is to get into the habit of touching the clutch foot to the floor between EVERY shift, as this will absolutely prevent the driver from 'riding the clutch'... personally, I think this is the most important thing to drill into a new stick shift driver. People get a "lazy" clutch foot, especially that 1st-to-2nd shift.

Another hint is don't use the transmission to slow down (down shifting) instead of using the brakes... brake pads (and even rotors) are a heck of a lot cheaper to replace than the clutch. (Obviously, if you have a good reason to downshift... you know, like racing, going down a steep grade... then you do so.) When you are down shifting, do a good job of matching engine speed to the transmission speed.

Don't use the clutch/engine to hold your position on an incline... needless clutch wear, when the emergency brake would do the job.

I've driven manual transmission cars since my '64 Plymouth Valiant (225 cu in, 3-speed on the column, no synchro into 1st)... only one automatic (out of eight vehicles) in all that time. I've never had to replace a clutch or throwout bearing, and I've always driven (all) my cars/vans hard.

[Sp00ner]

They might take care of you, who knows. Most people will tell you that you're gonna pay for it, but with 8,000 miles on a 'heavy-duty' clutch, and some friends on the inside, you might be covered. If they're fixing it right now, and they haven't given you a cost. Sounds like you're good to go! I got my fingers crossed for ya, if they are gonna charge you, do yourself a favor and get a good aftermarket one. They shouldn't be anymore than a regular one from the dealer...

[Sp00ner]

Originally Posted by jmichna

Aeain,
I feel your pain... but, are you new to driving a manual transmission? It seems that a number of posters at our forum are new to driving stick shift.

When I learned to drive stick shift, one rule I was taught right at the very beginning is to get into the habit of touching the clutch foot to the floor between EVERY shift, as this will absolutely prevent the driver from 'riding the clutch'... personally, I think this is the most important thing to drill into a new stick shift driver.

Another hint is don't use the transmission to slow down (down shifting) instead of using the brakes... brake pads (and even rotors) are a heck of a lot cheaper to replace than the clutch. (Obviously, if you have a good reason to downshift... you know, like racing, going down a steep grade... then you do so.) When you are down shifting, do a good job of matching engine speed to the transmission speed.

Don't use the clutch/engine to hold your position on an incline... needless clutch wear, when the emergency brake would do the job.

I've driven manual transmission cars since my '64 Plymouth Valiant (225 cu in, 3-speed on the column, no synchro into 1st)... only one automatic (out of eight vehicles) in all that time. I've never had to replace a clutch or throwout bearing, and I've always driven (all) my cars/vans hard.

I feel so dumb now, you have a list of everything that I do wrong to my clutch listed right there. I catch myself doing it all the time. The downshift one alot! I was actually 'mad' at myself on the way home today for driving it like a moron, in just the manner you listed above!