Clutch smell?

I've got a 2015 Tacoma 4x4 with just over 5,000 miles (8400km) on it.

For the first 3,000 km I got a strong burned clutch odour when I reversed. Yesterday starting from a stop on a steep hill I got that burned clutch smell too.

I've never had a vehicle stink of burned clutch like that before.

Have you ever had this happen?


Before I bought this truck I turned down a newish used one (4 cylinder) because my mechanic told me that it was obvious the transmission had been apart and the owner said he had a new clutch put in and mechanic said with the amount of miles on that truck it should never have had to have a new clutch yet.

Is this common in the 4 cylinder trucks?

 

Are you riding the clutch at all on the hill or when you're reversing? Not trying to offend, just have to ask and get that out of the way lol.

Sounds like maybe the clutch is sticking even when you feel like you've fully released it. A continually burning clutch isn't good (obviously), have you had your mechanic look at it?

 

I have a 2006 4 cyl with 140k on the clutch - no issues.

Sounds (and smells) like your riding the clutch a little too much.

 

theres a TSB for earlier model year 4 cylinder 2nd gens for clutch replacement in the warranty period. Mine went out at 50,000 and i did not abuse it. I would take it into toyota and get it documented within the warranty period, that way if they extend the TSB to your model year, you might have a case (nothing has changed in the drivetrain since the TSB has come out, so it should just be a matter of time)

 

I've been driving manuals for a decade or so exclusively, but when I got my '04 Tacoma (first manual truck) I was a bit sloppy with the clutch the first few days, trying to get the feel for it. Was a lot different than the coupe I was used to previously. Smelled it burn a little a couple times but nothing severe.

 

Only when teaching wife to drive an old Corolla SR5 or the daughter to drive a 300ZXT.

 

I had a '07 with 270k miles and never had a problem with the clutch.

 

Damn, you guys getting 200k+ miles on one clutch is crazy, I had to replace two on my last cars, both at around 100k. I used to engine brake all the time in my Scions though, I don't do that in the Taco. Hopefully the Tacoma's clutch will last a lot longer

 

I had an '87 Nissan Hardbody with 287k when I sold it; original clutch.
Had a '96 with 220k, original clutch.
Had a '96 Jeep Cherokee with 212k, original clutch.
Had a '99 Tacoma with 190k on it, original clutch.

Girlfriend has had a 96 Civic that got two clutches in the 80k that she had it for.
Her current Honda Fit has 70k and I'd be surprised if the clutch hits 100k.

She's hard on a stick; likes to ride the clutch. Whenever she borrowed my old truck I was always yelling at her to get her foot off the damn pedal.

 

Yeah the more I read up on it the more it seems like I was pretty hard on mine too by using it to slow down the car and save on my brakes.

Brakes are a lot cheaper than a new clutch though, lol. So with my Tacoma I've stopped engine braking, hoping I'll get a lot more out of my clutch now.

 

Only if you don't rev match. No clutch problems if you master that. Most folks don't.

 

This did happen to me too and only in reverse. I was moving a heavy load of mature on wet grass, when I tried to back up I had to floor the gas pedal in reverse, which caused the clutch to smoke.

Seems the gearing is incredible "tall," as in I'm having to give it loads of gas while only letting out the clutch pedal a tiny bit. The inevitable outcome has been a burning clutch, rancid smell and all. the reverse ratio is an absolutely INSANE 3.61:1. That's a higher ratio than your 1st gear (4.17:1). The 5-speed MT has 1st 3.95:1 and R 4.22:1 -- this is the proper way of doing it, reverse LOWER than 1st.

There is a tread that discusses this problem here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clutch-burns-easily-in-reverse.2413

 

I have copies of several emails I have sent about the issue to the dealership I bought it from and the Toyota service centre I take it to.