Clutch abuse

[Swordman]

Hello all, theoretical question here..How much poor driving can a clutch take, in terms of riding the clutch?

[pboyall]

Loads of variables to consider. A well-driven Aston might burn up its clutch in 50,000 miles. A badly-driven Micra might make 100,000.

It depends on what else is being done while the clutch is being ridden. Mega high revs and slipping of the clutch, or someone using the clutch as a footrest?

My neighbour bounces his 206 off the rev-limiter in conjunction with using the clutch like an on-off switch. It survived for 40000 miles like that.

[Geekman]

My grandad managed to destroy the clutch on a brand new Aygo in under a year. He's almost stone deaf so revs it to the limiter and slowly lifts the clutch up - you can smell it burning whenever you're in the car.

[Swordman]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

I suppose I'd better come clean about my question, though. I'm currently working abroad, and left my car to be taken care of by my Dad. Most of the miles were done by myself (and I know I'm not a clutch slipper!) and my Dad takes it out twice a week, so in total about 35 miles a week, and this has been happening for 6 months.

I know the total mileage of the car is less than 20,000, so would you think this is a warranty job?

Of course, it's impossible to tell if my Father was simply driving it poorly, so would there be other signs, besides the clutch, to suggest the clutch had been abused?

[B'stard Child]

Geekman said:

My grandad managed to destroy the clutch on a brand new Aygo in under a year. He's almost stone deaf so revs it to the limiter and slowly lifts the clutch up - you can smell it burning whenever you're in the car.

I was going to suggest he gets an auto next but on reflection I'd be concerned for his driving abilities

Old boy on the close I live on I think is late 80's poss early 90's and has always driven big sheddy autos - he worries the life out of me - he has good car control but his mobility means he backs up blind

[pboyall]

B'stard Child said:

Geekman said:

My grandad managed to destroy the clutch on a brand new Aygo in under a year. He's almost stone deaf so revs it to the limiter and slowly lifts the clutch up - you can smell it burning whenever you're in the car.

I was going to suggest he gets an auto next but on reflection I'd be concerned for his driving abilities

Old boy on the close I live on I think is late 80's poss early 90's and has always driven big sheddy autos - he worries the life out of me - he has good car control but his mobility means he backs up blind

Sounds just like my neighbour. Seems to be a common trend, my grandfather was a Grade 1 Police Driver but towards the end he just rev the nuts of his car.

Regarding the OP, 20000 miles seems a touch low unless it's an exotic. My father has a lazy left leg and never managed to destroy a clutch that quickly.

[Benbay001]

Geekman said:

My grandad managed to destroy the clutch on a brand new Aygo in under a year. He's almost stone deaf so revs it to the limiter and slowly lifts the clutch up - you can smell it burning whenever you're in the car.

You dont mind him driving?

[Geekman]

Benbay001 said:

You dont mind him driving?

I do, massively, and refuse to get into a car with him nowadays. However, he lives in Ireland and neither my parents nor anyone else could give a st despite him having had a few fairly nasty accidents in the past few years.