This may be a dumb question but how are we able to smell a burnt clutch? I thought the manual transmissions were essentially air tight. I let my kid brother try driving my car last night and he slipped the heck out of the clutch on his first start. The clutch smelled terrible for the next minute or so. So the question is, where is the smell "leaking" out of the transmission?

 

in my old integra there was a check hole where you can inspect the flywheel.

the transmission case with the fluid may be tight but where the clutch is isn't. i wouldnt be surprised if they have vent holes where the clutch resides (since what is essentially brake dust would build up inside if there wasnt)

 

Oh it finds a way out and you found that out. The odor can last for a little bit. And as a suggestion, you would be wise not to let people drive your car who don't know what they're doing. You will be the one left holding the bag when something goes wrong, not them.... especially family. Learn to say, "no".

 

I'm definitely doing my research on better clutches for when replacement time comes. This is the 13th manual transmission car I've owned, only two of them had less miles on them, and this is the only one I've ever had an issue with clutch slippage (even before letting my brother drive). I taught three people how to drive stick on my Maxima and it still had the original clutch at 212,000 miles with no slippage issues. It seems Acura was more concerned about keeping the clutch as light as a Civics instead of designing one that can actually handle the power of the TL.

 

the stock clutch can handle stock power. it can even handle up to 320whp, as multiple turbo/supercharger members are on stock clutches..
I would look into user error.
The TL's clutch is so hard to master, and I'll echo SB's advice....dont let any one drive it.

 

I bought my car used in Feb. 2010.
Had to replace the clutch on 11/05/2010.

a combination of the previous driver, testdrivers and myself all contributed to the death of my clutch.
Like you, when I first drove the car, the clutch was slipping already.

it cost me 250 for the clutch set from acuraoemparts.com
and a local mechanic installed it for $400.

 

The clutch may be able to handle stock power but for how long? It seems like half the used TL 6mt's I see for sale are advertising a new clutch with less than 100,000 miles. I find it hard to believe that TL owners are the only group that don't know how to drive stick properly. Maybe that check valve contributes to accelerated wear? It seems like a pain to do the mod but it might be worth it if it prolongs clutch life. So far it only seems to slip when running it hard on the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts.

 

^for how long? the stock clutch can last the lifetime of the car as long as you operate the clutch properly.
I'm guessing your clutch, like mine, wasnt operated correctly.
Southern Boy has an '04 with I believe 100k Miles and still is on the stock clutch.

after a hard RPM run, does your clutch pedal get stiff?

and the check valve was designed to prolong the life of the drivetrain, avoiding SHOCK.
the check valve is removed to help smooth out shifts. We have no idea on what happens later down the road with the check valve removed. A member has removed his check valve for 2 years, already with no ill effects.

 

its also because Acura over engineered the clutch making it one of the hardest clutches to learn.
Dont let any one drive your car.

 

100k miles is what I'd expect out of a Kia clutch. Every single Honda/Mazda/Nissan/Chevy product I've owned seemed fine for 150,000 plus miles. I suppose the current clutch is starting to go at just over 100k miles so if I replace it with another stock clutch the car will probably be near the end of life by the time I wear out the next one.

 

you're generalizing the product and are not taking account for user error.
The acura clutch is different and harder to learn.

If you know that you're operating the clutch CORRECTLY, then you have no worries.
this 2nd clutch on your car(if you choose to replace it) will last the remaining life of the car.

 

Considering some 6mt owners here dont know what rev-matching is and why it's important during downshifting, I dont believe they're the best or knowledgeable MT drivers out there.

People need to learn proper techniques to maximize performance. If you're teaching someone, they obviously dont know the techniques. Teach on an old beater car.

I taught 3 friends yesterday at the Rose Bowl and the integra (which my parents gave away to a family friend) was stalled out probably close to 20 times (we were practicing starting "on demand", like at a green light. They already had the concept of friction point and throttle control in mind).

I would not even consider using my TL to do the same.

 

Teaching someone to drive on your TL is a definite NO NO. I once let a friend drive my car (I know, stupid of me)...but he told me he was interested in buying a MT and he was a good friend - anyhow. Since I've installed my new clutch, I haven't let anyone touch it who doesn't know how to handle an MT.

That being said - my cousin, who is older than me and has never owned a automatic car in his entire life had an "interesting" time shifting gears the first couple times I let him drive my car. In fact - the VERY FIRST time he even stalled it at a red light. And this is someone who is quite knowledgeable about rev-matching, down-shifting, and overall knowing that the RPM gauge is not only there cause it looks cool.

The TL clutch is kinda weird in that way - it is what it is. I'm curious though as to others who have installed an aftermarket clutch and what key differences they noted.

 

you wont need an aftermarket clutch.

Member Hi speed has been using the stock clutch with 320 wheel horses. the stock 6MT TL puts down 230 wheel horsies.
He recently upgraded because he's pushing MOAR power.

 

Just a little FYI. The "RPM gauge" is called a tach, which is short for tachometer.

 

Sorry, but I'm pig headed. I love manual transmissions and try to spread the joy and enthusiasm to as many people as possible. If nobody learns to drive manuals then nobody buys manuals which means there are no cheap used manual transmission cars for me to buy. With proper training before actually starting the car I've had good luck with people not roasting my clutch too bad. I taught three different people how to drive stick on my Maxima and it still had the the original clutch at 212,000 when I sold it with no slippage. I realize that teaching someone to drive stick probably chews a thousand miles of life off my clutch but it's a small price to pay to spread the love of manuals.

 

^get a beater to teach.

the TL's clutch is too finicky.

 

If you've got a free beater to give I'm in! Sadly, finances and parking space don't allow for another car right now. In summer time I use my Miata to teach people how to drive stick. Besides, a beater car would cost more than a new clutch anyways. It still blows my mind that the same company that engineers perfect clutches for Civics, Accords, and S2000's is capable of producing such difficult to deal with clutch in their most expensive model with a manual.

 

Acura over engineered the clutch.
shame on them....

 

Seems more like they underengineered it. Cars with double the horsepower still have clutches that are easy to modulate. Apparently Acura deemed light pedal effort to be more important than easy clutch modulation, so yes, shame on them.

 

I think over engineered.
you're still stuck on the horsepower thing..

 

There are a number of examples of over-engineering some and one could break them into two basic categories: creating complexity and engineering strength, toughness, and longevity. I think Honda/Acura went with the former. Let me give an example of the later.

My 2000 SVT Contour had a 152 cubic inch engine (2.5 litres for the metric types), cranking out 200 HP and 169 lb/ft of torque. Not a torque monster by an stretch of the imagination. Yet Ford SVT skunkworks saw fit to spec the clutch clamping pressure at 1400 pounds! That is an over-engineered clutch that is going to last.

 

its almost like Acura catered towards "luxury crowd"

 

Owned numerous manual transmission vehicles-never had to replace the clutch. Our 3 vehicles have manual transmission but I have no problems.

 

I'm sticking with under engineered, or at the very least, a poor choice of design priorities. If I were the one setting priorities it would be: Longevity>ease of modulation>light pedal effort. I merely cited higher horsepower cars, other than TL's, as a demonstration that making clutches that are easy to modulate isn't limited to low torque four cylinder vehicles which Honda obviously perfected a looooong time ago. Maybe those old engineers retired and the new guys can't figure it out.