Nice Fit

I own a 2007 Fit, and have a shudder in reverse gear whenever I back uphill, and I have never liked the clutch feel. Never a smooth takeoff in first gear. In fact it stumbles a bit, pathetic really for a new car.
Its at 7500 miles so I have some experience with the car.
Today I started up to leave and when I went to move out in first gear, something was holding the car from moving forward. I thought maybe the parking brake was on and I disengaged the gear, returning to neutral. The brake was completely off, so I put in the clutch again and put it back in first and again there was resistance, not allowing the car to move. I added more throttle and the gear ( or whatever it was), popped and released and I was able to drive away normally. It was a metal to metal sound, like gears catching or maybe the emergency brake shoes letting go. The car was then able to drive away as usual.
What could be the problem ? And is it related to the clutch shudder defect, the transmission engagement, or maybe the rear brakes ? I have never had a clutch feel as bad as this car and I think I am going to dump this piece of crap and try a VW GTI or maybe a Mazda 3 or a Mini.
I love a M/T but this Honda clutch sucks big time. I'd rather take the loss on the trade than pay for a new clutch replacement to Honda.

thisisntjared

its a new car. you shouldnt have to pay for a clutch replacement. how did you treat the car for the first 500 miles?

Nice Fit

I drove normally, never approached red line, varied speeds on the highway, took it up to 80 at 700 miles, braked gently and still do. Nothing out of the ordinary.

thisisntjared

very weird. did you take it to the dealer to mention the problem yet? they really should take care of it and give you a loaner while they fix it. what rpm do you let it drop to while in reverse?

dank24

I have clutch shudder too in reverse. Give it more gas

claymore

Operator error not clutch problem.

eL

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dank24 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have clutch shudder too in reverse. Give it more gas</TD></TR></TABLE>

Same here. Taking off in first is hardly ever 100% smooth, too.<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by claymore &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Operator error not clutch problem.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats a pretty ignorant statement since I'm guessing you've never been in the car with the op.

claymore

Ignorant my A**. I guess you don't have much experience in driving a manual transmission or you would already know it's a COMMON WELL KNOWN PROBLEM with an inexperienced driver backing up. No need to be in the car to know what is going on.

If it rattles backing up simply, as the other knowledgeable member said, GIVE IT MORE GAS NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM what so ever ..... IT'S A DRIVER PROBLEM.

thisisntjared

i assume you mean if its in reverse and not in 1st?

ezekielwhore

i had that same problem too back around 13k miles. in first gear it sounded like the clutch couldnt engage properly. all the other gears were ok. just from stop 1st and reverse had a problem. i was gonna take it to get checked up but when i started it, it was gone. car was working normally as before. weird really. im at 36k now and my car is still in tip top shape.

eL

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by claymore &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ignorant my A**. I guess you don't have much experience in driving a manual transmission or you would already know it's a COMMON WELL KNOWN PROBLEM with an inexperienced driver backing up. No need to be in the car to know what is going on.

If it rattles backing up simply, as the other knowledgeable member said, GIVE IT MORE GAS NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM what so ever ..... IT'S A DRIVER PROBLEM.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, you're right. I have no experience driving a manual transmission. I have no idea what I'm talking about.

psychlonius

This is actually my first clutch & I have have clutch shudder in reverse. so I'm guessing it's my fault too. But other than that, I'm good

yeamans17

I have the same issue from time to time, I typically can resolve the shudder with more pressure on the gas pedal, the first gear launch not being smooth I've been trying to find a sweet spot, but I'm still coming up short. It seems like I either give it too much gas or not enough, throughout different variations of clutch. Ehh

thisisntjared

well two months later, and i am sure that the op learned to drive the fit with its stereotypical honda lacking low end....

eL

In reverse I usually have to slip the clutch a lot until it begins to smooth out, or just start off really slow. Otherwise it bucks like all hell. Never had a car drive like this.

Oh well, I got used to it.