Mike08

Hello,

I just bought a 2007 RX-8 with 11,000 miles. I'd like to revive an older thread because it exactly describe my issue:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/clutch-smell-46024/

It took me a while to find out that that burning smell was related to my clutch. That horrible smell happens always in the same type of situation: A stop-and-go situation on a slope where you cannot really be in nuetral and do a handbrake start (like a tigh parking spot in a slopy street, being stuck in line on an upward metered access ramp, etc.

I have been driving all sorts of cars, only with a clutch, for over 25 years and this never happened to me before. Never burnt a clutch, never had such a strong smell, never even changed one.

So, my question is: Is there more to this then just trying to release clutch with an as low as possible rpm? Is there someting wrong with my car? Am I doing the wrong things when changing gears?

I am getting anxious about this and would really appreciate some expert advice here

Thank you very much in advance for your help!

Mike

Silver06

Hi Mike,

Don't fret too much!

The RX-8 (IMHO) has a couple of things against it as far as the clutch, and one really good point!

First, the bad.

With a hydraulic clutch, the take-up point cannot easily be felt through the pedal (like a cable-clutch car can).

Also, with very little torque, not much flywheel effect, and a quiet, smooooth revving engine, it can be very difficult to learn by feel the relationship between the clutch and accelerator.

I've found that in traffic, it is easy to rev the engine and slip the clutch - and not really even notice.

Now, what can be done.....

Learn to heel and toe: With the ball of your foot firmly on the brake pedal, the throttle can easily be modulated with the 'pinkie' area of your right foot. It does take some practise.

Once you master this technique, you'll never touch the handbrake again - except when you're parked

Listen... Open your driver's window. Hear the revs drop when the clutch starts to engage. Feed a little throttle. Look at the tach. Practise keeping the revs around 1,500 as you steadily release the clutch. Tell yourself that you want to be off the clutch completely within about 40 feet from stopped.

Practice the above away from traffic. Don't panic.

Also, I'd recommend using the technique of keeping your vision well ahead of the rear bumper of the car in front of you. Anticipate the car in front of him moving, and start your new smoother technique earlier. Also, you can see traffic slowing ahead easier, and maybe avoid or reduce stopping/starting in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

I've noticed with my car, that I can be completely off the clutch, in first, and just moving along at speeds as low as 10 km/h (~1,200 rpm) on a flat-ish road - this really prevents clutch wear.


I hope that others will have some ideas as well.

Good luck!



Note that the above assumes that your car is indeed in good mechanical shape. Have you spoken to the dealer about your clutch smell? If possible, also try to drive other RX-8's on the dealer's lot - to ensure your car is comparable.

Socket7

Hill starts are a pain. I smoked some of my clutch when i first got my 8 and ended up stuck in San Francisco detour traffic. Ended up having to drive up an incredibly steep hill with a mile long backup of traffic behind me. It stunk, but the other drivers gave me plenty of room after breaking the rear tires loose, going about 15 feet and then stalling.

Ever since then, I've had no problem with hill starts.

The RX-8 will crawl in first gear at 4-6 mph. in second it crawls at about 9. When stuck in traffic frequently I'll just let a gap open up and crawl forward in first or second. Makes traffic much less stressful.

Silver06 has good advice. pretty much everything I'd say.

Ryoma-kun

Go to the dealer and get it checked. I'm having serious trouble with the dealer now. My clutch started smelling horrible very easily and it was hard doing hill starts. They're now refusing to replace the clutch under warranty even if it has only like 30 000 KM on it. Clutch was also replaced at 25 000 KM right after I got it from previous owner and I got it replaced under warranty at that time. So I managed to wear down the clutch in 5 000 KM without any clutch dumping or similar. I'm trying to figure what may cause the clutch to be this sensible.

Just don't ignore it. The clutch WILL wear down in a short time and get it checked up before it's too late.