HOUSTON.. We have a problem

[tee4]

After 1400 trouble free miles and three weeks, the clutch is toast. Started last night on the way home, slipping like crazy between shifts and when ever you try to accelerate. I hoped a good night sleep wood fix it. No such luck. Worse this morning. Check engine light is on and code reader says "excessive clutch slippage". Stinks like burnt rubber. Hope I make it to the dealer.
This thing gave no warning and we have just been tooling around getting great mileage. Hope this not a sign of things to come.

[Smartdavis]

Thanks for the heads up. Please keep posting as to what happens.

[74AMX304V8]

That is definately not good news.. I think some people were already predicting low clutch life, but this is extreme.

[cosmart]

Traffic patterns in Europe are radically different than in the US. More roundabouts, more flow, less stop and go. Very few place in Europe do people commute hours each way in continuous stop and go traffic as in Houston or LA.

Have you been creeping in traffic a lot?

Lets hope this is just a case of a poorly adjusted clutch out of the box.

[tee4]

Not stuck in traffic any more than normal and when it does happen I usually stick it in neutral. I do notice that the "creep" factor is a problem. It can be tricky to move just a few inches when you are pulling up in the garage or some other instance.
Maybe its the same old story, what works on paper just doesn't cut it in the real world.
Off to the dealer after lunch. Hope I get there.

[smartcenterSeattle]

Originally Posted by tee4

Not stuck in traffic any more than normal and when it does happen I usually stick it in neutral. I do notice that the "creep" factor is a problem. It can be tricky to move just a few inches when you are pulling up in the garage or some other instance.
Maybe its the same old story, what works on paper just doesn't cut it in the real world.
Off to the dealer after lunch. Hope I get there.

This system is very tried and true. In addition to smart, BMW and Audi have used this type of system. Please make sure you post the dealer's explanation of what caused the premature wear. In fact, please send me PM of which dealer you take it to so I can talk to them in case we encounter something similar here in Seattle.

[Carnut]

Originally Posted by tee4

After 1400 trouble free miles and three weeks, the clutch is toast. Started last night on the way home, slipping like crazy between shifts and when ever you try to accelerate. I hoped a good night sleep wood fix it. No such luck. Worse this morning. Check engine light is on and code reader says "excessive clutch slippage". Stinks like burnt rubber. Hope I make it to the dealer.
This thing gave no warning and we have just been tooling around getting great mileage. Hope this not a sign of things to come.

Sorry to hear this. Pardon my ignorance, but where did you get the code number and the definition that it is excessive clutch slippage? Thanks, and hope all works out for the best. Please keep us all informed.

[august8pm]

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Please keep us informed.

This is really quite scary.

[skyzdlimit59]

Originally Posted by cosmart

Traffic patterns in Europe are radically different than in the US. More roundabouts, more flow, less stop and go. Very few place in Europe do people commute hours each way in continuous stop and go traffic as in Houston or LA.

Have you been creeping in traffic a lot?

Lets hope this is just a case of a poorly adjusted clutch out of the box.

Yes, but we're talking about a different engine, right?

[SmartCard]

Bummer, hope its not serious or if it is, just a fluke with your car.

Originally Posted by Carnut

Sorry to hear this. Pardon my ignorance, but where did you get the code number and the definition that it is excessive clutch slippage? Thanks, and hope all works out for the best. Please keep us all informed.

good point!