clutch pedal

[SilentBob420BMFJ]

i find that the clutch pedal 1. travels too far, meaning you cant just keep your heel in one place, is this normal? 2. is too hard to press 3. those rubber things on it are annoying as the pedal cant slide on your foot at all.. i know i cant make it travel shorter, but im guessing i could ask the dealer to loosen the pedal for me? or does it loosen on its own after a few thousand miles? and also, i was thinking of wrapping the pedal in duct tape so my foot would be able to slide on it easier.. hard to explain kinda, but simply put, i want the pedal to be able to slide up my foot as im letting off while my heel is planted, then when i get to the point where i start moving, i will just take my foot off the clutch.. all in all tho, i wish i could work the clutch like i work the gas and brake, that being never moving my heel from the ground

[Leonard1818]

Originally Posted by SilentBob420BMFJ

i find that the clutch pedal 1. travels too far, meaning you cant just keep your heel in one place, is this normal? 2. is too hard to press 3. those rubber things on it are annoying as the pedal cant slide on your foot at all.. i know i cant make it travel shorter, but im guessing i could ask the dealer to loosen the pedal for me? or does it loosen on its own after a few thousand miles? and also, i was thinking of wrapping the pedal in duct tape so my foot would be able to slide on it easier.. hard to explain kinda, but simply put, i want the pedal to be able to slide up my foot as im letting off while my heel is planted, then when i get to the point where i start moving, i will just take my foot off the clutch.. all in all tho, i wish i could work the clutch like i work the gas and brake, that being never moving my heel from the ground

seriously?

[bangmonsta]

and u thought of this AFTER u've test drove and bought ur car? lol. Aren't we a little picky?

[bLaCkAnGeL07]

First off, I find the clutch pedal is really EASY to press, the lightest of all the cars I've driven. If you wanted one of those, go drive a Mazda3. Jeezus, those things are hard. And come to think of it, it is shorter and you don't have to take your foot off of it. Don't know what you can do about the "slipperiness" of the clutch pedal. The padding is on there so you can keep your foot ON it. You must have bought the wrong car.

EDIT: OP doesn't even drive a Civic... sorry man. Don't know what to tell you about Mercury's.

[e60.deluxe]

umm the Si has probably got the lightest clutch pedal of any enthusiast car out there. only corollas and kia's are softer.

i came from a BMW 325i and it was like twice as hard...

[Dar-Dar]

i used to drive stick by mounting my heel on the floor like you do. then i stopped doing it cuz i find that harder to do than just lifting up the clutching foot. and it aslo kills the floormat.

[dnbsi]

if my foot isn't pushing the clutch to the floor it's on the dead pedal. leaving your heel there would make it too easy to ride the clutch.

[WellingtonSI]

i just use the dead pedal, like its there for lol

[vr4gasmtt]

honda have the most lightest clutches ever... if you think your si's clutch is soft try driving a damn EVO or an m3.

[Leonard1818]

OP don't worry man... the clutch will probably get stiffer with time (if you want a stiff clutch). I know that in my RSX-S it was EXTREMELY stiff... I don't' mind either way. It's kinda easier to drive with a stiffer clutch. My GF drove my Si for the first time the other day and commented on how soft the clutch was compared to my previous RSX. Either way, I'm sure everyones clutch will get a bit stiffer with time.

[OhondaU]

Mine has actually gotten softer in the first 2000 miles....

[SilentBob420BMFJ]

before i reply, does anybody actually read what somebody says? more than half the posts seem to say the opposite of what i said (fyi, never go off what other person said, as he could have read the op wrong, so always go back to the op if your unsure).. the op is very easy to understand.. i dont see how you can mistake "2. is too hard to press" to mean that i want it to be stiffer, or how you could mistake "3. those rubber things on it are annoying as the pedal cant slide on your foot at all" to mean that i want more grip.. im not mad, im just super confused how a handful of people could all get 2-3 things completely wrong.. thanks for the replies tho!

Originally Posted by bLaCkAnGeL07

First off, I find the clutch pedal is really EASY to press, the lightest of all the cars I've driven. If you wanted one of those, go drive a Mazda3. Jeezus, those things are hard. And come to think of it, it is shorter and you don't have to take your foot off of it. Don't know what you can do about the "slipperiness" of the clutch pedal. The padding is on there so you can keep your foot ON it. You must have bought the wrong car.

EDIT: OP doesn't even drive a Civic... sorry man. Don't know what to tell you about Mercury's.

i do drive a civic si, and i have for a week now.. i just updated my profile.. anyways, didnt you (or any of you) read the op? i want the distance you have to press the pedal to be SHORTER and i want it to be EASIER to press and i want those rubber grip things to be FLATTER (stabs your feet when your barefoot).. this is the only manual i have ever driven, so let me know how this compares to other cars.. btw i fixed 1 of the problems by wrapped the pedal in duct tape; it feels much better on my foot now, and now it seems easier to push.. the reason i probably figured it was hard to press was because it hurt my bare foot when i pressed it

Originally Posted by dnbsi

if my foot isn't pushing the clutch to the floor it's on the dead pedal. leaving your heel there would make it too easy to ride the clutch.

i wouldnt rest it on the clutch, i would lay my foot like right near it, or put it on the dead pedal, but when i knew i would be making 5 shifts in the next 30 seconds, i would want to rest it on there and work it just how you work the gas/brake, without ever moving your heel

Originally Posted by vr4gasmtt

honda have the most lightest clutches ever... if you think your si's clutch is soft try driving a damn EVO or an m3.

read the op! i dont understand almost every poster seemed to have just zoomed right thru the op and got everything wrong

Originally Posted by Leonard1818

OP don't worry man... the clutch will probably get stiffer with time (if you want a stiff clutch). I know that in my RSX-S it was EXTREMELY stiff... I don't' mind either way. It's kinda easier to drive with a stiffer clutch. My GF drove my Si for the first time the other day and commented on how soft the clutch was compared to my previous RSX. Either way, I'm sure everyones clutch will get a bit stiffer with time.

get stiffer with time? AHHHH!! READ THE OP!!!! (i would think that spring would loosen up and it would get looser with time)

[ErichPryde]

Silent Bob-

I've driven a BMW 325xi, a 1992 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin turbo, a Honda Fit sport, a blazer, a Yukon XL, a Geo Metro- and of course, the Si.

All of these were manuals, and all belong to various people that I know. I've driven other manuals, but these immediately jump to mind.

compared to all of these cars:

The SI clutch pedal is MUCH easier to depress than the:
Stealth (by far gave me the most difficulties... that thing is a man-clutch!)
BMW
Blazer
Yukon

The Si clutch pedal "engages" a little later than the:
Stealth (I think? It's been a while)
Fit

The clutch on the Yukon XL was the longest, if I remember correctly...

The Metro felt like it was going to explode every single time the clutch started to engage.

Compared to all of these other cars, only the fit was "comparable." the Stealth and BMW had a lot of active resistance- the clutch pedal wanted to release as quickly and forcibly as possible. compared to the Si, both of those cars were pain to drive. and they weren't really a "pain," I enjoyed driving them, they just aren't as user-friendly as the Si.

Honestly, I don't have any issues with how the clutch functions in the Si. I think the important thing to understand about manuals is that, unlike automatics, every single one behaves in slightly different ways.

If you are having issues with foot placement, you could always try adjusting your seat? If you decide that you really don't like it, the clutch should be movable. you could have the dealership re-adjust the positioning for you.

How much experience do you have with manuals? I really can't think of any manuals that you can drive where you can simply rest your heel on the floor and clutch JUST like you're depressing a gas pedal. that's simply not how a manual works....

[maddhattery]

Originally Posted by SilentBob420BMFJ

i find that the clutch pedal 1. travels too far, meaning you cant just keep your heel in one place, is this normal? 2. is too hard to press 3. those rubber things on it are annoying as the pedal cant slide on your foot at all.. i know i cant make it travel shorter, but im guessing i could ask the dealer to loosen the pedal for me? or does it loosen on its own after a few thousand miles? and also, i was thinking of wrapping the pedal in duct tape so my foot would be able to slide on it easier.. hard to explain kinda, but simply put, i want the pedal to be able to slide up my foot as im letting off while my heel is planted, then when i get to the point where i start moving, i will just take my foot off the clutch.. all in all tho, i wish i could work the clutch like i work the gas and brake, that being never moving my heel from the ground

i think most people have there heel off the floor... i tried leaving my hell on the floor and its just to hard to work it..the clutch isnt stiff at all... id just say get used to not having you heel planted

[maddhattery]

try driving a 94 cobra or so wit a t5 tranny...it takes about 200 pound of pressure to push that damn thing it...lol

[Metalhead852]

Originally Posted by ErichPryde

Silent Bob-

I've driven a BMW 325xi, a 1992 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin turbo, a Honda Fit sport, a blazer, a Yukon XL, a Geo Metro- and of course, the Si.

All of these were manuals, and all belong to various people that I know. I've driven other manuals, but these immediately jump to mind.

compared to all of these cars:

The SI clutch pedal is MUCH easier to depress than the:
Stealth (by far gave me the most difficulties... that thing is a man-clutch!)
...

No crap! I had a 93 Stealth and that clutch was a beast!

But to the original poster I really wouldn't want a slick clutch pedal I would hate to see it clam back down at the wrong time and I live in norther NY so I track plenty of wet snow and ice on my shoes to make it slick anyways.

[OhondaU]

You could always get out a razor blade and trim down the rubber on the pedal if you want....

[cderalow]

Originally Posted by SilentBob420BMFJ

i find that the clutch pedal 1. travels too far, meaning you cant just keep your heel in one place, is this normal? 2. is too hard to press 3. those rubber things on it are annoying as the pedal cant slide on your foot at all.. i know i cant make it travel shorter, but im guessing i could ask the dealer to loosen the pedal for me? or does it loosen on its own after a few thousand miles? and also, i was thinking of wrapping the pedal in duct tape so my foot would be able to slide on it easier.. hard to explain kinda, but simply put, i want the pedal to be able to slide up my foot as im letting off while my heel is planted, then when i get to the point where i start moving, i will just take my foot off the clutch.. all in all tho, i wish i could work the clutch like i work the gas and brake, that being never moving my heel from the ground

clutch does not equal gas.

proper driving technique involves your left heel not being on the floor while operating the clutch.

The gas is hinged at the bottom for a reason, the clutch and brake are hinged at the top for another.

I can't imagine trying to clutch with my heel on the floor... though I assume it's much like trying to brake that way.... hard as hell

[SilentBob420BMFJ]

Originally Posted by ErichPryde

Silent Bob-

I've driven a BMW 325xi, a 1992 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin turbo, a Honda Fit sport, a blazer, a Yukon XL, a Geo Metro- and of course, the Si.

All of these were manuals, and all belong to various people that I know. I've driven other manuals, but these immediately jump to mind.

compared to all of these cars:

The SI clutch pedal is MUCH easier to depress than the:
Stealth (by far gave me the most difficulties... that thing is a man-clutch!)
BMW
Blazer
Yukon

The Si clutch pedal "engages" a little later than the:
Stealth (I think? It's been a while)
Fit

The clutch on the Yukon XL was the longest, if I remember correctly...

The Metro felt like it was going to explode every single time the clutch started to engage.

Compared to all of these other cars, only the fit was "comparable." the Stealth and BMW had a lot of active resistance- the clutch pedal wanted to release as quickly and forcibly as possible. compared to the Si, both of those cars were pain to drive. and they weren't really a "pain," I enjoyed driving them, they just aren't as user-friendly as the Si.

Honestly, I don't have any issues with how the clutch functions in the Si. I think the important thing to understand about manuals is that, unlike automatics, every single one behaves in slightly different ways.

If you are having issues with foot placement, you could always try adjusting your seat? If you decide that you really don't like it, the clutch should be movable. you could have the dealership re-adjust the positioning for you.

How much experience do you have with manuals? I really can't think of any manuals that you can drive where you can simply rest your heel on the floor and clutch JUST like you're depressing a gas pedal. that's simply not how a manual works....

as of this writing, i have ~200 miles of experience with a manual, and i found that wrapping the pedal in duct tape has helped a lot.. i want all of you to go drive your car barefoot for about a half hour and tell me your foot doesnt hurt from those black nubs.. wrapping it in duct tape is awesome, and its not slippery at all.. that whole "i want it slippery" thing was referring to pressing it with my heel planted (at least for some portion of the pressing), but i learned you cant do that, so that dont matter now.. its not hard to press now that it dont hurt my bare foot

Originally Posted by cderalow

clutch does not equal gas.

proper driving technique involves your left heel not being on the floor while operating the clutch.

The gas is hinged at the bottom for a reason, the clutch and brake are hinged at the top for another.

I can't imagine trying to clutch with my heel on the floor... though I assume it's much like trying to brake that way.... hard as hell

you brake with your leg on a regular basis? most people only do that when they need to brake hard.. i would say at least 90% of people keep their heel planted and just tip their foot to the left or right for brake and gas.. i cant imagine picking up your heel everytime you need to brake, even just a little bit

[habitat]

Originally Posted by SilentBob420BMFJ

as of this writing, i have ~200 miles of experience with a manual, and i found that wrapping the pedal in duct tape has helped a lot.. i want all of you to go drive your car barefoot for about a half hour and tell me your foot doesnt hurt from those black nubs.. wrapping it in duct tape is awesome, and its not slippery at all.. that whole "i want it slippery" thing was referring to pressing it with my heel planted (at least for some portion of the pressing), but i learned you cant do that, so that dont matter now.. its not hard to press now that it dont hurt my bare foot

You drive barefoot?... anyways if you want to remove the black nubs you have two options. First one is easier,
A.) use a razor to cut them off
B.) get a drill to drill out the rivets to remove the middle layer rubber insert, get some screws to re-apply the steel plate. The whole assembly is sandwiched in this order (back to front) pedal, rubber, steel cover

Originally Posted by SilentBob420BMFJ

you brake with your leg on a regular basis? most people only do that when they need to brake hard.. i would say at least 90% of people keep their heel planted and just tip their foot to the left or right for brake and gas.. i cant imagine picking up your heel everytime you need to brake, even just a little bit

I lift my heel all the time, how else do you heel&toe?