I had to get from 0 to 60 in a minimum of time to get from a driveway on to Pacific Coast Highway in heavy-but-fast Saturday afternoon traffic. In addition, the road took a moderate grade up. There were two of us in the car, but we were under the 400 lb. limit.

Once I got into second gear, I released the clutch as I normally do and pushed the loud pedal to the floor. However, for the first time, the clutch did not completely stop slipping until I was at around 8,000 RPM. (The alternative was having a Cadillac Escalade my car had never before met become much too intimate with her rear bumper.) Once I got into third, I only had that acrid, fishy smell that is the S2000's clutch lining and the car seems fine, although I'm sure I took a few miles off the life of the clutch.

My impression is that the S2000 clutch is somewhat marginal and that I had better make sure it is fully engaged when shifting while climbing a hill before I give the engine full throttle. I have never had a passenger car do this before, so I'm wondering if I need to change something in my driving technique. BTW, I needed one clutch on my '79 Volvo in the 250,000 miles I had it and no other stick I have ever owned needed any clutch work, including motorcycles.

 

yup, our clutch is not one of the stronger parts of our car...
and that smell you described sounds like a clutch burn.
not sure why yours slipped so badly though. if it does it again, have it checked

 

In a situation such as yours, I usually shift pretty quickly and release the clutch very quickly (pop) which in my car invariably spins the rear tires for five or six feet (chirps the tires). Shifted this way there is no chance of slipping the clutch. I've burnt my clutch several times, but never just shifting into second gear. Usually I would rev the engine too much (over 3000 RPM) and then slip the clutch too long.

 

My S2k was bought as a used car and not long after i got it i had to reverse out of a friends steep driveway....gave it 'plenty' so i wouldn't roll forward into a brick wall.....the engine screamed and the clutch slowly moved me back up the hill....the smell of burnt clutch stayed with me all day.....went into a panic thinking i had bought a car with a worn clutch but someone told me this slipping if releasing the clutch while over-revving was a way to save the rear end...

I hope he was right ...have since modified my revs/clutch release technique

 

I did the same reverse high rev clutch burn. I haven't had much other problem with my clutch except for when I haven't put it fully into gear when I drop the clutch. My sitting far back in my seat may explain that. :grin:

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by feistyS2K
[B]I did the same reverse high rev clutch burn.

 

haha, yea, ive read alotta clutch slippage happening with members here, but i havnt had it slip on me yet even though i sometimes rev too high before fully engaging

thats a very scary story rworne.. the sound grinding is like having somethign pierce through your heart and wiggle it in there a little >_< (i will never forget that)