ok, I could be a hypochondriac but I am nervous that i am wearing the clutch. I have only 1500 miles on my MCS and i don't think i slip the clutch or anything like that but in the first couple of months when i got my mini i grinded the gears about 4 or 5 times. I guess I am wondering how much is too much so that you damage the clutch. I am going in for my 1000 mile check up next weekend. should I ask them to check and see if I have been wearing my clutch. I just don't want to wear my clutch out too early. thanks!

 

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your question, but grinding your gears isn't wearning your clutch out... just your transmission.

If you're asking if you're doing it because there's something wrong with your clutch, it's very unlikely.

 

I don't think you want to tell the dealer that you have been grinding gears! Regardless, grinding gears and slipping clutch are not related. Slipping the clutch is when you get the engine up to 6000 RPM then s-l-o-w-l-y let out the clutch, or when you are climbing a hill by letting the clutch just grab enough to get you moving. Both will glaze the plate in a hurry and you will know when the clutch is going because you will rev the engine in gear while moving and the car will not move in relation to engine RPMs.

 

oh ok, i didn't know that. Sorry if my question was worded badly. I guess I just want to make sure I am shifting and doing all that stuff correctly so that I don't wear the clutch out. I also was wondering if they could detect wear on the clutch as early as 1500 miles. thanks for the help!

 

ok thanks rick

 

grinding the gears a couple times isn't going to doom your transmission. i've seen people who have been driving sticks for years grind every once in a while.

as for the clutch, just be careful that you aren't riding it. don't let it out any higher then 2000 rpm. not to sound like i'm accusing or anything, but what is it that is making you think there's a clutch problem?

 

>I also was wondering if they could detect wear on the clutch as early as 1500 miles

If glazed, then yes, they can tell within 10miles if you slip it that bad. :smile:
If you smell something like roasted rotten fish coming from your vents,
that's probably your smoking clutch. If you don't get that, then you're
probaby okay, but try engaging at lower rpm (1500-2000) and don't
slip any gear other than 1st gear coming from a standstill.

The grinding sound you get is coming from your gear collars trying to
engage into the gear.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/transmission3.htm

I wouldn't worry about it unless you grind a certain gear all
the time...which could mean that your syncro's might be
prematurely wearing out.

 

My first one is at 10,000 miles. Contrary to what a lot of others post I'll wait till it's near that distance before I go in(unless something happens prior to that).

 

If you glaze your clutch is their a way to unglaze it?

 

Honestly, just using the car will wear out the clutch. They are designed to only last for so long.

So long as you aren't doing a bunch of burnouts, drag starts, or rocking at stoplights you should get the full service life from the clutch.

 

I was just going to say what you said. Everyday driving will wear your clutch. However there is a way to not wear your clutch at all on your mini...don't drive it.

Hope this helps

 

Q: Am I wearing my clutch?
A: I don't know. Come into the light so I can see you better.

 

Enjoy rebuilding your engine at 75k miles when the bearings seize because you're not changing your oil enough .

 

Replace it?