Burned out clutch

[SuRichardson]

Just had to have a new clutch in a 4 year old VW Beetle - which was down to "wear and tear". Can anyone explain what we should not do to the clutch to avoid a repeat?

[almcd007]

4 Years old seems a bit premature for a clutch to go - Maybe you are "riding" the clutch which means excerting slight pressure on the clutch like say when you go round corners a lot of people drive with their foot resting on the clutch. Excessive Gear changing - are you doing a lot of slow traffic start stop driving ? Are you sat correctly in the car - You could be too far forward and when you lift your leg off the clutch, it's not quite engaging cleanly, try stting further back, so that your left leg has a slight bend when the clutch is depressed. Riding the clutch is probabaly the most common cause for early clutch wear though. Try Beetle forums - they might be reknown for the problem.

[tigga]

Also caused by using the bite at junctions instead of the handbrake.

[Tim123]

Resting your foot on the clutch while driving is more likely to wear out the clutch release bearing than the clutch plate itself. The plate only wears when the clutch is partially engaged, and the surest way to wrerck it is to use the clutch, rather than the handbrake, to hold the car stationary on a slope.

[SuRichardson]

Thanks for your help. I don;t ride the clutch at all, and certainly don't put my foot on it unless I am going to change gear or stop. I thought if it was all the way to the floor no damage was being done eg coasting the last few feet before stopping.

[Keeprockin]

I would think the main cause is holding the car on clutch and accelerator when stationery,especially on hills.

[SuRichardson]

I certainly don't hold the car on clutch and accelerator on hills. I know for a fact that would knacker it, and if I had been guilty of doing that I would know what the result would be.

[gsr600]

Hi
Do you sit in traffic or at lights with the car in gear with the clutch depressed for long periods, rather than disengaging gear & releasing the clutch pedal??
My dad always did that & got about 10k out of a clutch if he was lucky!
buy an automatic

[edd2blue]

sorry to say m8 but if ur not doing a lot of miles its the way u drive e`r