Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
What's the most miles you've put on a clutch before having to replace it?
I've bought several used cars that have already had the clutch replaced and I've sold them well before I wore down the (newer) clutch. But I'm wondering, how long can a clutch last for those of you who actually know how to drive?
I recently sold an old (1995 Nissan) pick up truck with almost 300K on the odo. I bought it new and was pretty much the only driver, replaced the clutch at about 180K because I'd done an awful lot of towing and hauling with it at that point. It was a work truck pure and simple. When sold it still shifted just fine.
Replacing a clutch is determined by how you drive the vehicle. If you 'ride' the clutch, it and the throw out bearing can be gone in short order. Can't vote in the poll because I have 116,000 miles on my Honda and it doesn't need replacing. Clutch test- start with 5th gear, then 4th, then 3rd. Rev engine about 2000-2500 let up on clutch to see if engine stalls. If engine is still running in 5th or 4th, it's replace the clutch time.
I posted the highest possible mileage on the poll, but I have had numerous vehicles go further than that on a clutch. Not uncommon to see 300K miles on my MB gasoline or diesel cars with manual transmissions and original clutches, and I've got one BMW 2002 with more than that on the original clutch. My audi's and subarus have also gone that mileage without needing a clutch replacement.
On many vehicles, it's all about driving technique/clutch abuse. I've had customers who couldn't get 5,000 miles out of a BMW clutch in a 320i or a 530i ... neither a powerhouse high performance car.
I have heard on an old pickup that 200K miles is reasonable but on a high performance car like a Lamborghini with AWD 5,000 miles is reasonable.
All depends on the car and the driver.......
this. if the car you have has a high performance clutch, and you use it like you are trying to beat john forces company car all the time, it wont last long. if you have a standard clutch, perhaps a good upgrade, and you drive sanely and dont abuse the clutch, it will last quite some time.
98% of all my cars have been standard shifts. I have never replaced a clutch. I am fast approaching 200,000 miles of my Nissan truck, and the clutch is working as well now as it did the day I drove it off the showroom floor. If you drive the car right, the clutch should last a long time.
It depends. I had a 85 Chevy Caviler that needed the clutch replaced at about 80,000. I also had a 91 Mazda pickup that still had zero problems with the original clutch at 250,000 miles when I sold it. The brakes on that truck sucked, everything else was bullet proof.
Depends for sure on how you are driving it. I've replaced the clutch about 4 times on my Mustang, and usually get about 50,000-70,000+ miles on it. But you have to realize, I drove it every day in Houston stop and go traffic for over 306,000 miles. I do not abuse it by dumping the clutch or anything, and I drive it fairly reasonably. A few power shifts now and then. But engaging the clutch 100+ times every day takes its toll. First time was at about 50K, again at about 120K, a third time at 145K (@#$%^ valve covers leaked oil onto the clutch disc!) a fourth time at about 225K and it is time to replace it again when I pull the motor.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,585 posts, read 81,186,228 times
Reputation: 57821
I had a 1973 Ford Courier clutch that had 138,000 on the clutch when I traded it in, a 1987 Aerostar that had 140,000 on it when I traded it in, and a 1997 Escort that needed a clutch at 150,000.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
