Did I destroy my clutch?

[j-spec]

Hey guys, first off, yeah I'm a noob to driving standard and unfortanutely I had to learn on my own 08 Civic LX.

I've had the car for about 2 weeks, and when I first got it I was stalling quite a bit. In fact, on the drive home from the dealership, the freeway was backed up for close to 10km...I couldn't even get out of 1st gear. haha, boy was that a fun first driving experience.

Anyways, I'm worried that the way I've been driving has been too excessive on my clutch, because yesterday when I was driving home from work, the clutch pedal felt much lighter, or "fluffier" when engaging...there were no jerks when engaging 2nd or 3rd (still a slight jerk in 1st). My first thought was that the clutch was losing grip from my crappy driving. Is what I described a symptom of a clutch losing its grip? I figured the car would have a tougher time engaging a gear if that was the case, since there would be some clutch slippage, but I wasn't sure.

For reference, my friend taught me for about 20 minutes the day before I picked up my car how to drive standard, and he taught me that when braking (for a light, etc.), I should hold down the clutch and brake, and move down through the gears. So thats how I've been driving, everytime I brake, I hold down the clutch as well and don't let it out until I've come to a stop at the light.
Does that sound right? I question this because my friend also told me to change gears by looking at my speedo, rather then my tach, lol. But I didn't have any other real world reference to go by so I haven't tried anything else.

Thank you for reading this if you got this far. Please any tips on driving safely would be greatly appreciated (espcially when going downhill!!), and if you can decifer if there's anything wrong with my clutch PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!

Thanks again

[NIGHTHAWKSI]

there are a few threads around here of how to drive stick.

but first off, its not recomended to hold the clutch when at a stop. just put the car in neutral and brake when at a complete stop. then clutch in and shift to first when you want to go....
try this for a start Learning Stick Tomorrow. Any Tips?

[OrdnanceMarine]

Originally Posted by NIGHTHAWKSI

there are a few threads around here of how to drive stick.

but first off, its not recomended to hold the clutch when at a stop. just put the car in neutral and brake when at a complete stop. then clutch in and shift to first when you want to go....
try this for a starthttp://www.8thcivic.com/forums/driving-experience/94752-learning-stick-tomorrow-any-tips.html

Spend some time reading up for sure. I doubt you've totally trashed a clutch in a few weeks of driving as even folks here who track their cars all of the time get 20,000-50,000 miles (though they know how to drive it).

What I'm worrying about is your transmission. Stop shifting down through every gear as you come to a stop. You're only wearing on your syncros and for what? Some folks have learned stick from a person who learned stick from someone that owned a car in 1932 when you HAD to do many of these arcane practices.

[j-spec]

I see, so when coming to a stop, I should not be going through the gears? Crap, I think I was doing that just mindlessly with the clutch pushed in.

Instead, should I just put it into neutral and brake to a stop?

[NIGHTHAWKSI]

Originally Posted by j-spec

I see, so when coming to a stop, I should not be going through the gears? Crap, I think I was doing that just mindlessly with the clutch pushed in.

Instead, should I just put it into neutral and brake to a stop?

leave the car in gear as your braking. when the RPMs get to 1k, press on the clutch and shift to neutral.

[j-spec]

Ok, so its not a neccessity to press on the clutch anytime you press on the brake, right?

So lets say i'm in 5th gear going 60km/h, I need to brake to a stop light, so I would step on the brake while NOT on the clutch, let the car slow down and the engine rev's drop to about 1000k, then clutch in and put the car in neutral?

Does that sound about right?

[j-spec]

Also, does the way I described how my clutch pedal feel raise any concerns to you guys? Or is that just a part of the car breaking in?

Thanks a lot for the help

[NIGHTHAWKSI]

yea, you got the idea

[boltuprite]

I'd recommend you book a few lessons with a driving school that does manual transmission instruction (I know here in Toronto there is a place called SHIFTERS). Better to learn on somebody elses manual than on your own.

[j-spec]

I've been looking at a few here, but i need to find the time to go.

BTW, is there any easy or obvious warning signs I can look out for to know if my clutch is wearing out?

haha, I think I'm over paranoid about my clutch going on me cause this is my first standard car.

[boltuprite]

Generally when a clutch is going it will slip. What this means is the engine will rev when you release the clutch, but you won't move forward. If it shows any signs of this, then yes you have burnt the clutch plate.

[OrdnanceMarine]

The only things I can think of is that you've glazed the clutch or pressure plate which just means you spent too much time slipping the clutch or you're putting in too much throttle while slipping the clutch. Either way the clutch material (think brake pads) started to melt and now doesn't have the same coefficient of friction (grip) that a clean clutch would have or you transferred some of the melting clutch material to the flywheel where, again, it's changing the coefficient of friction which will make the clutch feel different. Once you learn how to properly drive it the glazing *should* clear up after a few hundred to maybe a few thousand miles of driving. Worst case scenario would be you need your clutch rebuilt which can be done for (guessing here since I've never had to do one) ~$500-1000 total. You're still ahead of the cost of an automatic transmission and you'll net better fuel economy if driven properly so you'll get it back. The two manual Hondas I've owned (and since sold) had in excess of 100k miles on them with the stock clutch. Even my Dad's '88 Acura Legend went over 100k on the stock clutch and he was a clutch slippin' fool!

Relax, go to a good driving school, and practice what they teach!

[ro.sniper]

I had 325,000km = 201 945 miles on my old 99 ex with stock clutch, was starting to slip and a few other things were going wrong like the pressure plate bearing but oh well thats why i now have an 08.

[carspidey]

Where do you live? I'll show/teach you how to drive for FREEEEEEE if you want to... if you don't live too far...

I live in Tarzana btw...

[7002iSciviC]

its not necessary to hold on your cluth each you break, best move is put in neutral then brake to stop. or you can do engine break...

just keep practicing on you spare time and i guarantee you, youll learn in no time

fyi. my 2007 Si is my first manual car as well i learned how to drive stick by myself and i have about 15k miles on my si and it still runs perfect no problem with cluth even tho im a newbie

your clutch should be still fine since you only owned your car for a couple weeks even you drive your car real hard your cluth wont wear down till 20k miles AT LEAST so just keep practicing and keep your confidence up once you perfect the 1st gear your good to go

[Itchytoe]

Originally Posted by j-spec

Also, does the way I described how my clutch pedal feel raise any concerns to you guys? Or is that just a part of the car breaking in?

Thanks a lot for the help

Smoother shifts are probably the result of getting better at shifting. First is the hardest to do, which would explain why first is still jerky when the others aren't. Does second still do it occationally? I highly doubt you've done any damage to the clutch, even though it is possible. Your clutch is pretty resiliant.

[Slipp]

if your car is only 2 weeks old, your clutch is fine.
a few cars ago... i had a 97civic hx, didnt change the clutch till 120k miles - i was driving down the interstate and couldnt get past 55mph - i knew then it was time! heh
so...youll know when its time for a new clutch... trust me, youll know.

if its feeling lighter, its just breaking in.

keep in mind. if you just left off the clutch, and dont touch the gas, when done ever so slightly, your car wont stall - youll have to do it very slowly, but there you can feel the clutch engage - im not tellling you to practice this method, but just a point to say, that it doesnt take much to get ya goin!

good luck! drive safe!

[OrdnanceMarine]

Originally Posted by Slipp

keep in mind. if you just left off the clutch, and dont touch the gas, when done ever so slightly, your car wont stall - youll have to do it very slowly, but there you can feel the clutch engage - im not tellling you to practice this method, but just a point to say, that it doesnt take much to get ya goin!

An advantage of the electronic throttle in that the ECU can tell the throttle OPEN!!! when it detects an impending stall (within limits, of course).