This past weekend I was forced to reverse while in the middle of my apartment's parking garage ramp. The ramp has a pretty severe incline, although I don't know the degree. While in reverse there was a portion of time where the vehicle did not reverse while under moderate throttle (2-3000RPM to climb the incline). While reversing on the incline, I could smell the clutch. But the other smell that I had was that of something almost like coolant. The vehicle has 94,000 KMs and I haven't had any issues with the clutch. It also has the new Honda MTF.

This morning when I took the car out (forward gear as I reversed in), I could smell the same coolant sense. It subsided when driving (perhaps residual in the cabin filter) but interestingly when I took the car for lunch (having reversed in the office) I smelled the same coolant smell.

I don't think it's coolant, perhaps the MTF fluid? But I didn't see any leaks under the vehicle. Drive ability seems not to be affected, although I'd like to drive it a little more to asses if there is some slippage.

Has anyone else experienced this? Should I be worried?

 

It's most likely clutch material smell from slipping the clutch. If it drives fine, then I wouldn't worry too much about it. The smell should go away after awhile. Using the handbrake on an steep incline will keep the car from rolling without slipping the clutch too much.