car is a 1999 civic ex sedan.

1) how do I know if my clutch is slipping? First time I drove a manual car, so I dont really know what I should be looking for here if someone ask me if my clutch is slipping?

2) My shifter likes to move back and forth when I press on the gas pedal...for example. While in 3rd gear, if I press the gas pedal, the shifter would slightly 'move back' (doesnt leave 3rd gear, it like its wiggling back and forth, on all gears) and when I let go of the gas, the shifter would return to where it was.....

3) what is the life expentancy of a stock clutch? the car has about 93,000 miles on it, last owner never changed it once yet. for all I know, the clutch is still fine but then again, I never really driven on a 'good clutch' before so I cant compare....

thanks guys.

 

car with that many miles probably has a little life left on the clutch.

shifter moves because the bushings that bolt the shifter to the floor and to the trans are worn out.

and learn how to drive manual quick or you will have to replace the clutch.

 

when you say little life...you mean as in....5,000 miles?

i can pretty much drive a manual smoothly and Im pretty confident Im driving it correct, I knew when I bought the car, I would be changing the clutch soon anyways but I was hoping that by then, I would learn how to drive manual already.

 

it really depends on how the previous owner, on how they treated the car. but on average they will start slipping around 110k. but to know if your clutch is slipping, you have to go on the road and go about 40mph and then you are at 5th gear. then just slam on the gas and see if the rpms or if you can hear the engine start reving high, thats when you know if the clutch is slipping. also have someone that knows how to drive stick teach you how. good luck

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pho iz good &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">car is a 1999 civic ex sedan.

1) how do I know if my clutch is slipping? First time I drove a manual car, so I dont really know what I should be looking for here if someone ask me if my clutch is slipping?

2) My shifter likes to move back and forth when I press on the gas pedal...for example. While in 3rd gear, if I press the gas pedal, the shifter would slightly 'move back' (doesnt leave 3rd gear, it like its wiggling back and forth, on all gears) and when I let go of the gas, the shifter would return to where it was.....

3) what is the life expentancy of a stock clutch? the car has about 93,000 miles on it, last owner never changed it once yet. for all I know, the clutch is still fine but then again, I never really driven on a 'good clutch' before so I cant compare....

thanks guys.</TD></TR></TABLE>

1) You'll be in like 3rd or 4th gear and you'll get on it really hard and the RPM gauge will JUMP up (like 3k RPM) and it'll jerk, just like if you were just nailing the gas then hit the clutch like 1/2 down real fast right in the middle of it.

2) That's just b/c the motor is twisting on the mounts - it twists the linkage a bit. Don't worry about that unless it's like, fighting you. Though if it's just moving around IN 3rd gear (or any gear) don't worry about it, as long as it's not popping out or anything of the sort. Your trans mount(s) COULD be going in the future but you'd be stupid to start worrying about it.

3) There is no life expectancy, with the way my friend drives he gets 40k out of his clutches 'cause he smashes the **** out of them and owns his own shop where he can just replace one when he blows it out. My ex g/f's mom gave me her eclipse that had 163k on it and it had the original clutch and it still felt 100%. It all depends on if the driver abuses the clutch or drives it normally.

I've seen people running ~250k+ on the original clutch b/c they drive to the city (about 115 miles) every day for work. It all depends on how you drive it.

EDIT:
It's not uncommon for somebody THINK they're driving normally but actually be burning the clutch.

Just make sure you're not hanging on the clutch too long on starts, that's the main reason for burning clutches.

I just picked up a Tercel that's on its second clutch and it has 210k. There's no SET amount or NORMAL RANGE.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Syndacate &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1) You'll be in like 3rd or 4th gear and you'll get on it really hard and the RPM gauge will JUMP up (like 3k RPM) and it'll jerk, just like if you were just nailing the gas then hit the clutch like 1/2 down real fast right in the middle of it.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

hey thanks dude but I dont think I understand what you're saying here......

My clutch is slipping if my car is jerking if I shift into 3rd and 4th?

And about burning the clutch, I notice sometimes its necessary for me to keep my foot on the clutch and gas pedal same time so that my car wont stall, IE slow highway traffic. However, I also do just leave it in 1st gear and press the gas really soft so that the car will roll and move w/ having to hold on the clutch but thats only if traffic is still moving at like 2-3 mph.

So I guess my question is, do you feel sometimes you have to burn the clutch a little bit or am I driving wrong somehow? thanks

 

as long as the shifter isnt moving a lot ur good...but if it is jumpin back and forward then u need to check ur motor mounts!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pho iz good &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

hey thanks dude but I dont think I understand what you're saying here......

My clutch is slipping if my car is jerking if I shift into 3rd and 4th?

And about burning the clutch, I notice sometimes its necessary for me to keep my foot on the clutch and gas pedal same time so that my car wont stall, IE slow highway traffic. However, I also do just leave it in 1st gear and press the gas really soft so that the car will roll and move w/ having to hold on the clutch but thats only if traffic is still moving at like 2-3 mph.

So I guess my question is, do you feel sometimes you have to burn the clutch a little bit or am I driving wrong somehow? thanks</TD></TR></TABLE>

When the clutch is slipping, you'll be at like 5k RPM in like 3rd and you'll nail the gas and the RPM will jump and the car will jerk just as if you were to nail it in 3rd and then not let off of the gas but tap the clutch like 1/2 way down but release it fast.

Try it: Get on it hard in like 2nd gear and then when it gets to like 5k don't let off of the gas any but TAP the clutch about 1/2 way down really fast. That's an EXACT recreation of what'll happen if/when ur clutch slips.

Yes, sometimes you have to burn the clutch a little bit to avoid the car bucking and jerking like you have a wrench jammed in the crank journals.

Slow highway traffic and/or "stop and go" is HORRIBLE for the clutch...although it's sometimes necessary and unavoidable.

 

so my car will jerk really hard when I press on the gas in 3rd/4th gear? if so, I guess my clutch is still fine. thanks man

so I guess the only thing I have to worry about now is the bushings for my shifter?