New Clutch Smell!

[Hugoneus]

I am still a little rusty with my clutch, so I tend to hold it in the middle for two long in first gear. Have you guys noticed that the clutch can release an unpleasant smell into the car?

(PS: I had no passengers, so I know it is not coming from someone!)

[Modshack]

That unpleasant smell is Dollars burning, as you'll probably have to do a premature clutch replacement if you continue like this.

Engage it and release.....The only slippage should be on your initial start up...

[vipor]

Before anyone else says it.... Is this your first car?



Improper use of the clutch will cause it to wear more than it's supposed to thereby causing what I typically refer to as an "organic" smell. It is normal and is a sign that you are doing something wrong. Prolonged incidents can lead to early failure of course, so work on your technique.

When I first got my Z I had to park on raised spaces at my (now ex-)GF's house. Not knowing how safe it was to do I was holding the parking brake while feathering the clutch in reverse. (Trying to keep the car from rolling forward, but once the clutch grabbed let off the e-brake and move back more.)

I ended up smelling a lot of clutch that night, but haven't since. Still operates perfectly.

[Chupacabra]

for some reason on the z the clutch tends to slip more than any other car I have ever driven... the engagement and disengagement points on the pedal are just funky.

[Hugoneus]

Thanks everyone. I will work on my technique. The smell has only happened twice, plus the car is brand new, so it will take time for me to get used to the clutch.

[Vegitto-kun]

basically you are burning the clutch.

not good to say the least

[kenchan]

your clutch should not smell...

[LateralG'z]

nissan has a weak clutch for the type of power and gearing ratio so with you riding it, you are smelling dollars vanish and service come early. technique and practice can remove this problem. when you replace it, by something with more pressure and stronger material than stock to get better grip and less slip.

[Trips]

Originally Posted by Modshack

That unpleasant smell is Dollars burning, as you'll probably have to do a premature clutch replacement if you continue like this.

Engage it and release.....The only slippage should be on your initial start up...

[Brendan@Bwalk]

Organic clutches are really intolerant of slipping while they are breaking in, and tend to stink really easy if heated before they are fully broken in. While the car is new and breaking in, you need to be really careful, as you can hot spot the flywheel and then the clutch will feel like garbage until it's replaced.

A few times aren't going to kill it though, so if you are a bit more careful through the rest of the break in process you should be fine.

[tonybui]

Do you guys take your foot off of the clutch when backing up? I always hold it in the "middle" because backing up only takes about less than 30 seconds. How do you guys do it?

[370Zvetlana]

i learned to drive manual 3 weeks ago, only had the smell once: in traffic on a fairly steep hill (i was maintaining the friction point in the stop and go traffic in fear of rolling backwards into the car behind me), but i go up that hill everyday, and havent had the smell since. got used to keeping foot off the clutch until time to move, find the friction point with foot on break then hit the gas.... god knows if im doing it right, but i want to learn without the ebreak, and no bad smell except that one time, so hopefully no damage lol

[tjlazer]

Jeeze i've smelled my clutch about a dozen times already, and I've only had the car a month! (Been driving stick since 1988)

The clutch in this car is a pain.

[Endgame]

Originally Posted by 370Zvetlana

i learned to drive manual 3 weeks ago, only had the smell once: in traffic on a fairly steep hill (i was maintaining the friction point in the stop and go traffic in fear of rolling backwards into the car behind me), but i go up that hill everyday, and havent had the smell since. got used to keeping foot off the clutch until time to move, find the friction point with foot on break then hit the gas.... god knows if im doing it right, but i want to learn without the ebreak, and no bad smell except that one time, so hopefully no damage lol

does holding it midway burn up the clutch? when you smelled the burning smell, were you on the gas at all or just the clutch midway?

[Brendan@Bwalk]

Originally Posted by tonybui

Do you guys take your foot off of the clutch when backing up? I always hold it in the "middle" because backing up only takes about less than 30 seconds. How do you guys do it?

Usually when I'm backing up, I pull the clutch to the friction point, accelerate, and then put the clutch back in. I might touch the friction point a few times, but for a short duration, with almost no throttle.

Clutches usually don't like to be held at their friction point for long; that slip is what generates heat, and that smell is you cooking the clutch. Light load slips aren't terrible, but not good for the clutch either.