OK so here's what just happened......

I went to parallel park on a pretty steep hill. I started to back into the space with my nose down the hill. I noticed that I had very little power in reverse, tried to give it more gas but it still didn't have much power. At this point I noticed a smell of burning oil and a little bit of white smoke coming out from under the hood. I immediately stopped trying to reverse and parked it in another
spot. I checked to oil and it was ok. The temperature was fine and I didn't rev it anywhere near the redline. No CEL or any other lights. Already called the dealer and scheduled to have it taken in on friday. It's only two weeks old. Has this ever happened to anyone else before? The safest option is for me to leave it parked until I take it in on friday but I would like to be able to drive it if I need it. Think it is safe? Thanks!!

 

this is the second post i've read about problems with MY04. Hmm...it makes me wonder...

 

did you elliminate burnt clutch?

 

i'm just going to throw this out cuz i really don't know, but does that sound like possibly riding the clutch and burning it out a bit?

 

u burned the clutch

 

Hmmm...so how would I tell or check for burnt clutch? I'm pretty gentle on the car. It's only got 640 miles on it so I've only VTEC'd twice. THere wasn't much smoke but enough to make me worry combined with the fact the car felt like it had no power. I don't believe I was riding the clutch since I've been driving manuals for 12 years know but who knows. Thanks alot for the feed back. I checked for leaks(coolant, etc..) under the car too and didn't find any.

 

U should be OK once or twice and most effects (including smell should be gone soon enough), just don't make a habit of it

Rev up a hill could be awkward so I can see how it can happen.

 

Thanks all!!! After doing some good ole fasioned internet seaching and scanning s2ki I'm pretty sure I just burnt the clutch. Hmmmm...never knew you could get smoke from the clutch. My old mustang never did that. At least I don't worry about the engine. A car a couple of years ago blew the radiator on me, so white smoke under the hood generates bad flashbacks even if it's only a little. Still going to take it in for a check out. Who knows may have a bad clutch and I'm going to make them fix the little cut I noticed on my seat. THAT pissed me off. Big kudos to all who responded. Thanks alot guys!

 

If you burned the clutch and it didn't catch properly, it would seem like the car didn't have much power.

 

Yep, that's about what it felt like. Damn evil San Francisco hills!!! There's one near my house that I don't think I can go down because I'm pretty sure I'll bottom out Fortunately the smell didn't last long, it was pretty much gone when I got to my new parking space. Thanks again all!