Just seeing if anyone else feels the same about the clutch in the 4G TL. I've had manual cars my entire life. This is the first one I've had that has a clutch that engages almost at the top. Ive had 2 other hondas, an '04 RSX Type S and '11 CRZ and both clutches grabbed in the middle somewhere. I'm at almost 1100 miles on my '13 TL and still am not 100% with this clutch. I don't stall or buck or anything but just have some jerky moments where I let the clutch out too quick or too slow. How long did it take you guys to get used to it? Or better yet, does anyone elses clutch engage at the very top?

 

IMHO, I agree. I had an Integra that had a good feeling flutch, engaged at the middle. The 4G TL's clutch is different from previous Acura/Honda products.

The 4G TL's clutch has no feel; I guess it was engineered to provide a neutral feel, and one has to listen to hear when it engages. My clutch does engage on the high side, and was difficult at first to drive/shift smoothly. Still is sometimes...

To be honest, I haven't really gotten used to it, just "expecting a no-feel-clutch" if that makes any sense.

 

3G had the same issues. Could make a good driver look like a newbie

 

I wish we could remove the slave cylinder valve with no chance of repercussions. I think that would greatly improve the feel and give more consistent shifts. I read somewhere on the 3g side that it can cause problems but it worked wonders in my old car.

Other than that gripe I'm pretty happy with the feel. I've gotten used to the high engagement and actually feel like it helps with quick shifts.

 

It's different, but I got used to it after a few months. Acura engineered the 4G clutch to have a linear effort throughout the stroke.

There's a thread on here somewhere about adjusting the engagement point. As I recall, those who were dissatisfied with the stock setup found that the adjustment made it more to their liking.

 

aha... i'm not only one with the same "issue"! On first service at dealership I complained about it, they tested my clutch within 8 miles of driving and said "this is a typical 4G clutch and nothing wrong with it"... Some times takes me a coulpe stop lights to adjust. Usually my first gear is in the middle and rest of them engages at the top... but good part is that when I shift gears quick, engagement at top helps and feels great

Still love my 4G TL with unique shape, great interior, features and SH-AWD handling

 

no, the slave cylinder mod does not cause any problems.
ive been check valve free for almost 3 years, in my 3rd gen TL.
(in theory, it is placed there to prevent drive train shock)

Also, have you guise heard of adding a rubber stopper?
BMW guise do it a lot, and some 3G folks said it provided a better clutch feel.

 

Did you notice a big difference when you removed the valve? Were your shifts more consistent and does the clutch seem to "grab" better?

I've heard (at least regarding other cars) that the fact it's there can actually cause problems for people that drive aggressively from time to time because it's slowing the engaging and disengaging of the clutch and can lead to premature failure.

 

Honestly, it helps a little. More for quick shifts.
Changing the engagement point by unscrewing the pedal rod and or placing a rubber boot will help for more consistent engagement travel but I have yet to do either

 

OP, here you go... very easy.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...t=clutch+throw

 

also to add; it is because of our clutch set up.
Dual mass fly wheel.
if we changed it to a conventional clutch set up; I dont think we would have this problem

 

I can feel mine engage about a quarter of the way up but not at the top though. When I start switching gears, I have a habit of trying to make the transition smoother so I don't really let go of the clutch that quick. I don't really like the jerkness unless I beat on it or gun it.

 

I don't think its the DMFW, my 6MT BMW's have them & launch & shift with no problem. The Ranger uses a SMFW & has close to the same feel but is a little harder but I think its the friction material as opposed to the linkage.

 

FWIW
The 4g clutch catches higher than the 3g but overall is much smoother. Feathering through situations as only a manual can do the 4g is great. The AWD transfer of power is noticeable. The clutch in the 12 catches higher than the 08 which catches higher than the 04. When I drive them back to back in the driveway it is a little weird. It is hard to adjust that fast. Otherwise, normally, I find you just have to cognizant of putting minimal pressure on the pedal when it is not engaged.

 

Coming from a STI, I love the feel of the clutch/ powertrain in the 13 TL.
Just my .02c

 

Excellent shifter in general but the clutch takes some getting used to. On the other hand, the clutch is very forgiving and rather effortless to operate. Fits the overall demeanor of the vehicle and is probably made this way in the context of it being an all purpose mid size luxury sedan. Light steering, brake feel and therefore clutch.

Matter of preference, personally don't like a car that drives as though it's always fully engaged even when you're doing nothing more than cruising or on your average commute but in the TL 6MT's case, fortunately you don't necessarily have to give up capability at the same time. Best of both worlds IMO.

Slow, thorough shifting works best when you're not really on it, where it is otherwise fine. In other words there is no happy median here.

My RSX was also high but as said, more in the mid range, just firmer feel but you expect that in that type of vehicle. Otherwise the 4G is IMO very similar to the 3G 6MT's, but again more "feel" in the TLS.

 

^^ +1

The 4G almost feels "soft" in terms of driving feel. Coming from a 3G 6MT with a short shifter and metal bushings there was definitely a more aggressive feel to the shifts, clutch was very similar though.

 

The pedal feel is fine. The really high engagement point is my main issue. I had a 2010 WRX limited and the clutch pedal feel and engagement points were suited for the car. The shifting was vague and sloppy though. I love the Honda manual trans feel and throws compared to most manuals I've driven.

 

Ive had it removed for over 200k miles on my 6speed trans along with the damper with zero issues.

 

had SAAB 900 Turbo MT, BMW 328i, Acura TSX all manual. But my 2012 TL MT has the best clutch and shifting yet!

 

You get used to it. All the J Motor clutches are like that. :-)

Eventually, you even learn to appreciate it.

But while you're getting used to it you might launch yourself through an intersection with a ferocity that might be hard to explain to your mother in law in the back seat.

 

4g is not that bad... 3 manual vehicles 3 different clutch engagement points...You'll have too adjust and yes it can be a pain in the A$$...

 

moving directly from the 2G CL to the 4G TL wasn't much of an issue to me ... and I had zero issues going from either clutch to that of the C6 which I concurrently owned/drove at the time. now, the clutch of the Audi A/S5? that is a different story altogether.

 

What's your take on the A/S5 clutch?

 

Couple of issues I have with the Audi manuals ... ever since I first looked into the 3.2 A5 6mt back in '08. 1) L-O-N-G travel in the clutch, accompanied with low engagement. 2) Being somewhat taller (6'3"), I like my seat back and the steering wheel not close to my chest. In the A5/S5's, I had to move the seat up just to be able to interact, which was really uncomfortable - something similar to the E39 BMW coupes I test drove after my M3 was totaled. And just to rule out anything that might have been particular to any given car ... of the 4 S5's I test drove before ordering mine (in addition to the '12 S5 cabrio and 3 '13 S4's), 3 of them had the stick. I also found the shift pattern to be nowhere near as smooth as any of my previous Acura's ... or any other car I've ever owned (to include my '92 Toyota SR5 4x4) for that matter. Just decided it wasn't something I wanted to continually fight with ... but having loved the A/S5 design from it's introduction ... getting the S-tronic was a trade-off I can (and am) living with and enjoying.

Funny thing ... I had no issues at all with the U.K Spec '86 Audi Coupe Quattro that I owned while I worked/lived in the U.S.S. U.K. ... especially considering I was shifting with the wrong arm!