how bad is the clutch?

[YukiHachiRoku]

Pressing the clutch feels like cutting butter, but I kinda like that feeling lol

[MmmHamSandwich]

I only got to sit in it, but holy crap was it light. I was not a fan. Even my salesguy said when he drove it he couldn't feel where the takeup was.

I'll probably have to toy with the adjustment and maybe look into some SS lines or something. Definitely a weak point in the feel of the car.

[motofan]

I remember I read an interview with one VW executive about same car applying to different markets. He mentioned that they need to make clutch light in India because people don't like to wear shoes. While this is not the case in Germany.

I haven't driven a MT FR-S, so I can't judge. But I once drove a volvo C30 with very light clutch, and I didn't like that. Your descriptions remind me of that feeling.

As for the BMWs and other high performance cars, I wonder if they intentionally make the clutch heavy or it simply a mechanical character of the clutch which needs to handle more torque and needs more pressure, perhaps?

[|-Goku-|]

Originally Posted by pr086

there seems to be a lot of complaints about how light it is and how it catches high in the pedal travel. but how bad is it?

i know there are a few of you with frs's that came from the civic si, can you compare it to that?

I am coming from an 09 Si, and I can say that it is VERY light. Reminds me of the new civics. I about put my foot through the floor when I first test drove it. But I was able to get used to it while driving.

[normancw]

I adjusted the clutch on my wife's FR-S to grab much lower following the guide in the DIY forum.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8040

It was very easy to do and it feels much better.

I've gotten used to the the lightness, but I wish it was a bit heavier - it's much lighter than my 330i.

[cleethree]

I sat down, started the car. It then took about 45 second to start rolling as I eased off the pedal waiting for it to catch. It was quite awkward really.

[fistpoint]

Originally Posted by SkullWorks

so you don't really know how a clutch works huh?

a clutch has to be either Hydraulic or Mechanical, unless they are Pneumatic or electric now...

if you need a heavy clutch to feel like a man that is your business, I however only care that the clutch transmits the required torque, and that there is modulation available, a longer motion that is softer allows better modulation (for a given weight PP) as it is providing more mechanical advantage to your leg. Weight of clutch pedal should be proportionate to the TQ value of the Motor. It can be stiffer but it is of no advantage (other than making you feel like a man apparently)

No, I don't exactly know how a clutch works, is that a problem? Are you a physicist by chance? No? Well I'm not a mechanic or a technical car guy. Your point is moot.

Who said anything about feeling like a man? There are numerous posters here who feel the same way I do in regards to a soft clutch on a sporty car...they do NOT belong together, period.

It has to do with the precision when making the shift. A soft clutch makes it much more difficult to make precise shifts. Again, I am by far not the only one here who has said this since the cars release, or in regards to any car with a soft clutch that isn't a Corolla with 140HP.

My RSX doesn't have a monster feeling clutch, but when compared to the new Civic and tC, it is significantly more stiff feeling, but still is soft compared to something like a Ferrari or Lamborghini...or a Mack truck. I've never said my RSX was stiff, only stiffer. There is a difference.

The tC and Civic have mushy clutches now and I find it pathetic. That doesn't equate to being manly at all. Stop being a **** just because people disagree with you.
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Lastly, I haven't even tried the FR-S/BRZ clutch yet, I'm just going by what everyone else has said, which is that it is very soft. I think most people would find the RSX clutch soft too, until you get into a tC or new Civic...then you realize it isn't that soft afterall, OR the tC/Civic is overly soft. RSX = manly clutch? Not a chance! But tC/Civic is worlds away.

[DantKR]

I know when the clutch is going to catch every time. It's really not that hard to feel bar any physical reasons. I prefer it to the 2012 WRX clutch by far. It's actually quite similar to the 04 STi clutch. It feels better than the 2012 Subaru Legacy GT.

[Indestruct]

I may be the only one with this problem but I have yet to take off from a stop to go instantly and confidently like I have in my S2k and miata. It takes me a split second longer to take off without over revving the engine/riding the clutch or conversely without any wheel spin. Hills suck since I'm using the ebrake and I don't trust the catch point yet. This is something I'm getting used to and never had a problem with in the past.
However the super light clutch makes driving really easy in LA traffic .

[Oriental Life]

Many of you are comparing hydrolic clutch to an old-school mechanical clutch. Just accept the fact that hydrolic clutch will never feel the same way as a mecanically linked one. 25k, 50k or 100k - it will not be the same when it comes to a bite feel.

[fistpoint]

Originally Posted by Oriental Life

Many of you are comparing hydrolic clutch to an old-school mechanical clutch. Just accept the fact that hydrolic clutch will never feel the same way as a mecanically linked one. 25k, 50k or 100k - it will not be the same when it comes to a bite feel.

That's what I was trying to say in my earlier post(without having the actual knowledge). That's what was said to me on the Civic forums. I guess old-school mechanical is what I grew up on and was hoping/expecting.

So, why did they get rid of them? And should I expect a soft clutch in every new car I may purchase now or in the future because of this? You're saying ALL hydraulic clutches are now this way? If so...

[Laika]

I hated it the first two days. I mean HATED it....I was used to a heavy a BMW clutch....

745 miles later and I don't absolutely love it but I do like it and I'm very used to to it now. Driving any other manual feels weird now.

[elenien]

Originally Posted by normancw

I adjusted the clutch on my wife's FR-S to grab much lower following the guide in the DIY forum.

I have a strong feeling doing this is going to solve some of my issues, but I don't really have a great place to work on it at the moment

The clutch is so much lighter than my 95 Honda Prelude, and I was quite shocked when I first used it. I have gotten used to the feel and it's easy enough to find the clutch point if I concentrate, but it's still not the most comfortable. I keep expecting it to be lower than it is and it's very awkward for me where it's at.

At least that's my story as I over rev the engine yet again from a stop...

[Oriental Life]

Originally Posted by fistpoint

So, why did they get rid of them? And should I expect a soft clutch in every new car I may purchase now or in the future because of this? You're saying ALL hydraulic clutches are now this way? If so...

Good question. Short answer in my version - comfort and adjustability while producing/designing cars.

If you think about it, gas pedal is no longer a gas pedal - its a sensor that goes into ECU, which drives small motor that opens throttle, and same ECU sets timings for injectors and ignition. That makes it almost useless to talk about 'throttle response', because there is NO mechanical throttle controlled by human. There is a software and a crappy motor that moves throttle to open air intake. But in return you can tune sensor sensitivity by reprogramming ECU and call it a day, instead of fiddling with the cables and bolts.

Same with electric power assist steering. Wheel you touch is no longer connected directly to the steering rack the same way as in old hydraulic power-assisted rack. It drives motors that drive other motors that push the rack.

Hand brake now is an e-brake (thankfully not in this car). So, again, no direct mechanical link from the lever to the brake pads.

Its an overall direction to simplify tune-ups and provide driver's 'comfort' by disconnecting driver mechanically from everything. Well, Ok, and save a little gasoline by making all nannies electrical. I think.

The only thing they left alone are hydraulic brakes - its a major safety issue if a car can't be stopped if you loose your electrical circuits.