clutch burn?

[victor_t]

So I've had my new (to me) 2007 mazda 3 since yesterday. it's manual and fist time for me (never drove manual before)

yesterday I managed to stall the engine about 8 times during the day.
today I did better with the negine (one stall only) but worse with the clutch.

there were two instances where I was stopped on an incline with someone behind me, and I didn't use the hand brake.
Instead I lifted the clutch slowly then accelerated harder, but I think I didn't release the clutch fully. The first time I had a smell of what I thought was a combination of gasoline and something burnt, and the smell lasted about 5 minutes in the car.
the second time it was only burnt smell and went away quickly.

I assume this is coming from the clutch?
Is this what you call "burning the clutch" and can this be permanent damage?
how much damage can the mazda3 clutch take before needing to be replaced?

the car has 42000 km on it. Clutch feels fine to me, but I don't have any previous reference, I don't know how to recognise a slipping clutch.

[Malcolm991]

Well I guess that's how most of us learned how to drive stick! A good way to learn more is to go to an empty parking lot for a few hours! You will get better the more you drive!

[FLIPDADY]

Well I guess that's how most of us learned how to drive stick! A good way to learn more is to go to an empty parking lot for a few hours! You will get better the more you drive!
+1

Sunday afternoon after all the stores are closed. Find a good empty parking lot and practice away!

[thefish]

Universities have big open parking lots during weekends... and maybe some hilly access roads or something.

[Olestra]

Instead I lifted the clutch slowly then accelerated harder, but I think I didn't release the clutch fully. The first time I had a smell of what I thought was a combination of gasoline and something burnt, and the smell lasted about 5 minutes in the car.
the second time it was only burnt smell and went away quickly.

I assume this is coming from the clutch?
Is this what you call "burning the clutch" and can this be permanent damage?
how much damage can the mazda3 clutch take before needing to be replaced?

Yes, this is what's called burning the clutch. If you hold the clutch at the friction point and give it gas, it will wear the clutch out. Any wear and tear on the clutch happens at the friction point. Once it's fully engaged, the clutch will not wear.
The clutch pedal should be moving outwards as you're giving it gas to minimize wear.

There's not really a way to say how long the clutch will last. It depends on how your previous owner drove it. I'd be willing to believe that a clutch that was properly taken care of would last well over 100k KMs.
Likely you just glazed your clutch a bit. You should be ok as long as you don't do that often.

[sudz]

I've had this happen twice. Usually while attempting second gear starts foolishly. The smell is your punishment. I find it smells like Smelly socks and burning fish. What about you?

I am curious how long a clutch lasts. I learned on my car too, but A fair bit of my driving is highway... the rest is... "spirited" city driving (I like to get to the speed limit quickly)

[kevcol74]

If you glaze your clutch, the result will be "clutch chatter", where it won't engage without a bit of chatter, or hopping so to speak. Its like glazing over brake pads, you won't stop as quickly as the friction contact has been compromised, and won't "grab" as well anymore.

[victor_t]

how do you feel this "chatter" ?
I haven't burnt the clutch since, but I don't know how to recognize the symptoms if I did glaze it or not.

[kevcol74]

Its almost like the clutch hops when starting to engage, like a bad start. The car doesn't lurch like letting the clutch out too early and not enough gas, but rather you feel it in the driveline where the engine will jumpand you'll feel it in the pedals and shifter. Hard to explain, but its very prominent when it happens to you! Will also happen when the clutch is on its way out.

[Olestra]

If you glaze your clutch, the result will be "clutch chatter", where it won't engage without a bit of chatter, or hopping so to speak. Its like glazing over brake pads, you won't stop as quickly as the friction contact has been compromised, and won't "grab" as well anymore.

I thought all that happens if you have slight glazing is the friction point is more "vague" because the friction material has smoothed out from the glazing.

Can anyone confirm that by driving normally and proper clutch engagement, it will get rid of the glazed surface?

[kevcol74]

Not only has the friction material smoothed, the flywheel will smooth too. 2 smooth surfaces trying to mate = clutch chatter. You can't really get rid of it short of pulling the flywheel and machining it, but its a rare case when it gets to that point. Usually minor clutch chatter is liveable, and in some cases, barely noticeable. If its extremely glazed, everyday driving will be a pain.
You'll probably be fine for some time, but you will likely be changing your clutch earlier than the average.