Airflite40

So since I got my car started up, I decided to go for a drive to get a little better at shifting and starting out since this is my first manual trans car.

About 20 minutes into the ride I started smelling burning rubber. I was not far from home, so I drove home and grabbed my flashlight. I looked in the engine bay and the smell was weak. No evidence of any belt catastrophe.

Then I decided to move the car and I realized something The whole time I was driving I was missing 1st and 2nd. I was starting in 3rd the whole time. First is kinda hard to get to on my car for some reason. I thought these cars have a rubber centered clutch. Was that smell my clutch burning up? I hope not. Poor clutch.

Just to be safe, I'm gonna pull the TB front cover and inspect the belts....

The DareDevil

If you were starting out in third it must have been an awful drive! You were burning up your clutch!

StyleLab

watch out these cars don't have a 6th gear, just kidding :P Belts don't usually emit any odour when going bad so I wouldn't worry.

SamGrant951

You smelled $$$ burning. I would have picked another car to learn stick on, I picked a miata.

Airflite40

I know. Its weird for me. I have driven manual before, but it was like 3 years ago. I wasn't that good at it. I am already fairly good at the 'mechanics' of it, just now learning the car and how each gear feels.

Neinfofo

I had a similarl issue with the burning or hot rubber smell. But I use first and second gear. I got freaked thinking that a belt was ready to go. So what else could cause this????

ubercooper

your rubber-centered clutch is burning.

Airflite40

drove to work today, and actually used 1st & 2nd. No burning smell, shifting smooth. Niice.
My clutch pedal still feels good.

apierce918

didnt a lightbulb go off when you maxed out after just 3 gears the first time?

Airflite40

yah, not my proudest moment, but its behind me now...

Crunky

So your telling my 944 has enough ***** to start in 3rd gear?

Airflite40

yeah, i guess?

ubercooper

sure, you can start it in fifth if you drop the clutch at 7k rpm

Calmchaos

I get the same smell after it gets up to normal operating temp. And I have an auto.... lol ...

greenshoes3

poor clutch is right! lol, dont be too hard on yourself, i've done it once, but only once lol.