[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]

Free repair? I'm assuming not...

It better be or I am raising hell.

 

[Sp00ner]

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]

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]

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!

 

[Aeain]

I'm new to clutch. (Almost a year since I've had my car.)
I push the clutch all the way down when shifting. I don't downshift excessively except when I take corners around 20mph and I downshift to second. I use my parking break when I park the car everytime, but, I also leave it in first gear. I personally have only put about 5300 of the cars miles on it. The other 2000 were put on between my mother and father who are both veteran clutch drivers.

 

[Juggernaut]

Yea i downshift to slowdown alot... and when i push the clutch to shift i never go all the way, there is still about an inch left to go. This is my first clutch in a small car, i used to drive 1 ton trucks which are totally different. Thanks for the pointers bud

 

[linenoyz]

Don't blame yourself, Aeain. A failure like that had to have been from a defective part. I know the clutch in the Redline can take a beating...lord knows Katie and I both beat the snot out of it.

I'm pretty sure it will be fixed under warranty for you since it's such low mileage. Even wear items like brakes and clutch are covered for the first 12k miles, I believe.

 

[Aeain]

I can't help but blame myself. I love my car so much I don't know what I'd do if something happened to her.

 

[SaturnI0Nredline]

Looks like I'm not doing to good after reading this post. I love to downshift. But then again when it cometime to replace the clutch I will do it myself. Which for me will be around 150k I hope..... at least that what it has been around with my last 2 saturns.

 

[jmichna]

I'm new to clutch. (Almost a year since I've had my car.)
I push the clutch all the way down when shifting....

What I tried to describe as the first hint in my original post (in addition to fully depressing the clutch while actually shifting, as you say you already do), is get in the habit of touching your clutch foot to the carpet between each shift... it makes you fully remove your foot from the clutch while in a gear, so that you can't ride the clutch.

 

[jpapa]

Looks like I'm not doing to good after reading this post. I love to downshift. But then again when it cometime to replace the clutch I will do it myself. Which for me will be around 150k I hope..... at least that what it has been around with my last 2 saturns.

You've put 150k miles on your car BEFORE replacing the clutches? How the....?

 

[jpapa]

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 never had to replace a clutch or throwout bearing, and I've always driven (all) my cars/vans hard.

I haven't tried this one, but you're saying e-brake when you're sitting at a light on an incline rather than the clutch/engine method? I know this wears out the clutch, but I don't like holding the brake and having to switch over to the gas real quick when people are right on my tail stopped at a light like they usually are. Always have the fear of rolling back into them. I need to train my feet to be faster though, but might have to try e-brake method.

And you've never had to replace a clutch before? How many miles do you put on a car before not owning it anymore??

 

[matt]

It better be or I am raising hell.

Don't be too sure. Unless they find it to be a manufacturer's defect in the clutch, I highly doubt it will be covered under warranty. Who know, maybe your dealer will be cool about it. I always thought clutches were not covered under warranty since they are like tires and brakes, their life span depends on how the driver treats them.

 

[Aeain]

Don't be too sure. Unless they find it to be a manufacturer's defect in the clutch, I highly doubt it will be covered under warranty. Who know, maybe your dealer will be cool about it. I always thought clutches were not covered under warranty since they are like tires and brakes, their life span depends on how the driver treats them.

Yeah, I know my mom will go raise hell if it isn't covered. 4 New Saturns from the Same Dealer in less than 2 years should count for something.