How long does the S2000 clutch last?

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May 4, 2007 | 09:32 PM

#31

wasupdu

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Joined: Sep 2005

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Ok, stupid question of the day:

How do you know when to replace the clutch?

This is my first manual car and I taught myself how to drive a manual with this car as well. I bought the car used a couple years ago with 35,000 miles on the clock, now I have about 50,000. I do a fair amount of city driving and I'm frequently in stop-n-go traffic on hills if that matters...

May 4, 2007 | 10:27 PM

#32

overst33r

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From: Palm Harbor, FL

[QUOTE=wasupdu,May 4 2007, 09:32 PM] Ok, stupid question of the day:

How do you know when to replace the clutch?

This is my first manual car and I taught myself how to drive a manual with this car as well.

May 4, 2007 | 10:48 PM

#33

wasupdu

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Quote:

Originally Posted by overst33r,May 4 2007, 10:27 PM

It's not a stupid question. You can usually tell if your clutch is slipping when the revs of your engine don't match up to the speed of the car. This is a bit relative though. Another way you can see is to drive it in like 5th gear at 30 and just floor it, if the car accelerates as fast as the engine is revving, it's still good. If you feel like the RPMs are rising quicker than the car is accelerating then your clutch is probably slipping.

Also, you could put it into 1st gear while at a stand still, engage the parking brake, and quickly release your clutch. If the car doesn't stall immediately, depending on the time it takes to for the car to stall, if at all, you can judge the severity of slipping. So when your clutch is slipping, it's usually time for a new one. There are other techniques available, but those have worked for me.

Also, when you are on hills, don't ride the clutch, rather put the car in neutral and step on the brakes. If you need to, use the hand brake to ease off without rolling backwards to help reduce the wear on your drive train.

Thanks! Good tips! I don't roll backwards at all on hills (ok, maybe an inch at most) but what I'm asking is how do I REALLY know I need a new clutch? Meaning, how do I know when I need to replace a clutch otherwise the car will not get me from point A to point B? I don't race my car, just simple commuting to and from work and maybe a quick drive or two on the weekends. The 5th gear acceleration is a good idea, but at what are the warning signs before the clutch is completely toast?

Again, sorry for the newbie questions, but with all the 'clutch talk' I've been curious about this.

May 5, 2007 | 01:42 AM

#34

blackout

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Joined: Nov 2006

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im at 71XXX with an AP1 she still holds strong, no serious chirping while shifting gears but it still jolts when i let out the clutch quick...Id say its good for a little while. "knock on wood"

If the car revs higher than normal for X MPH and gear, then chances are its slipping. This is very close to the time to get a new clutch. At that point you have maybe 100 miles before its gone depending on terrain and driving...If mine lasts till 100k its getting replaced just out of convenience so i dont have to worry bout it when its a bad time...

May 5, 2007 | 05:08 AM

#35

FearlessFife

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Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 7,630

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From: Kansas City, MO

My original clutch, in a 2001 no less, was changed at 97K.

With the new one I am so happy to have the clutch buzz gone.

May 5, 2007 | 07:58 AM

#36

TRDLiquidSilver

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 1,541

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From: NYC to SoCal

i'm probably not the best person to chime in because i have 16k on mine but it all depends on the driver. if you like dragging your S (legally or illegally) then be prepared to change it sooner opposed to someone who tracks it. if you don't do any of these things and feel that you don't need to slip dump the clutch because the car next to you starts revving at you, then the clutch should last you close to 100k or more if you don't ride it. one definition of riding. too many times at a stoplight i see people still 50% in the clutch from 1st when they're at 10+mph in a new or fairly new car.