okay so as some of you know my clutch has been bad for a couple months. ive got my clutch/flywheel and it will be installed in 2 weeks. i have a vacation coming up on july 3rd-6th. its about a 4 hour drive to and from. i still drive the car every day and havent had any major issues except for the gears reving out sometimes if i dont ease into the throttle.

would it be a really bad idea to drive it 4 hours straight? (will probably stop once or twice for 30 mins or so). its my one vacation a year and would really suck to miss it. so please give me your opinions.

 

Since the clutch is bad already, and you have the parts ready to install, driving it such a short time for vacation can't do any more harm. The trans will survive clutch slippage, but your engine won't like over-revving. If the clutch slips going up a hill, back off the throttle until the clutch engages again and walk up the hill at slower speed, down-shifting when necessary. It may stink getting there (I have had mechanical problems on the way to a vacation destination myself), but unless the clutch just won't hold at any speed at all, you will get there.

 

I second that - it will be fine to drive, just go easy on it. it's a clutch

 

cool i was thinkin the same as you guys but im a noob. i think as long as i take it easy i will be fine...as long as i ease into the throttle slowly it doesnt really slip. anymore than 1/4 throttle after shifting and it will rev out. thx for your opinions ;D looks like vacation is a go hopefully!

 

Have a good time- don't let worry about the mechanics of the car eat you up.

 

;] sucks that its not fixed, woulda been a lot of fun to drive through all the moutains/backroads of west virginia in the fit ;P next time ill get to really drive it around tho. might get some nice pictures of the fit on some moutains if i find any nice spots. thx again

 

Personally, I would just rent a car. It would be real unfortunate if your clutch quit on you in the middle of nowhere land. Towing would prob cost more than the car rental! Your clutch is already slipping, and it wont get any better. Are you going to carry passengers? Going to carry heavy luggage and souvenirs? Those factor would probably put more strain on your already weak clutch.

 

yes u should be fine. have a fun n safe trip

 

if i could afford to rent a car i would just get the clutch fixed before the trip... ;] 350 for clutch install, i got all the parts already. i will be carrying may be 1-2 passengers who weigh around 300lbs combined weight max between passengers. no ac most likely, windows down. we will be taking at least 2 breaks for 30 minutes each on the way. i think it will be okay. and if worst comes to worst. my dad lives at like the halfway point between vacation spot/my house. can get it towed there or to where i am staying and park it at a friends house.'

thx for everybodies opinions. will put my mind at ease a little during the trip and make it much more enjoyable!

 

I'm a little more risky than others, so....yeah

I would do the clutch one night before you left if I was that concerned.

Personally, I think it will be fine as long as you are easy on it. Just remember, the more it slips, the worse it will get. how many miles are on it?

 

74/77 FTMFW!

 

12k miles on the car lol clutch probably started slipping a couple thousand back.

 

also another question before i go on my trip. my oil is at about 30% life, total i will be putting around 5-600 miles on the car for the trip...should i change the oil or just wait til i get back and change the clutch. i plan on just waiting and gettin it changed when i do the clutch. bout 3k miles so far since last oil change, mobil 1 oil/filter. no big deal if i wait right?

 

well, 3000/.7 = ~4285 total miles for the oil life. at 15% oil life remaining that will be ~3642mi depending on how you drive it.

I still say as long as you have oil in the motor, you're fine. I would go on the trip and just change everything when you get back. Just keep an extra quart of oil in the car just in case - you never know when you or a fellow fit (or lude) may need it

 

made it there just fine. was very difficult keepin up with the 2 other cars on all the moutains tho! great time...

 

how did your clutch die so soon?!

 

learned how to drive mt on it, also driving through DC, gotta drive like an asshole there...not a good idea if you just learned how to drive mt, haha.