Hi when driving artics etc I only use the clutch to pull away the rest of the time I just "feel it in" like the Eton twin split 'box, however in my car 1990 Renault 25 TXE I always use the clutch. In a lorry the engine doesn't rev as high as a car so its easyer to do, my car has done 133K tows a caravan etc on the same clutch.

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Hmm, that's what Truck drivers do, right ? *When their truck makes this noisy "t-r-r-r-r-r-r" noise when going downhill . . .

Anyways, my car is on automatic, not standard because remember, I'm still on my driving permit, so when I get a license, I'd probably get on manual. *probably*

I had an 89 Nissan Maxima that bit the dust (trailer hitch of a pickup) and had 325,000 miles on it. The clutch had been replaced at 225,000 miles the FIRST time. I loved that car. It NEVER gave me problems and the interior always looked new. There was some fading on the steering wheel leather but thats it.

Sadly she lost her life in 2000, and was replaced with a 2000 Nissan Maxima with 26 miles on the odo however this time an automatic  

My Acura however had the clutch replaced twice in less than 125,000 miles (wont ever buy another Honda/Acura), and I had a Camaro that had to ahve it replaced after 14,000 miles. The Camaro was the biggest pile of S**T I have ever driven and fell apart within days of leaving the dealership. I sold it in less than a year and swore to never buy another American junk pile again (3rd American car I have had and ALL of them had shoddy build qualities)

hmmm...My 1997 Chevy S-10 has just over 70,000 miles so far, and no sign of clutch problems...

Driving is great, about 35-36 MPG with mostly city driving! Of coruse it's a 4 cyl. 5 speed.  I'm not sure what I'm getting now cuz I just put about 250LBs. of sand in the back for some added weight in the snow...otherwise my tires just spin...

On the topic of clutch, what do you like better? Hydralic, or mechanical?

I've driven my grandfathers 37, ford (all original engine and tranny too!) and with the mechanical clutch once I got used to it it wasn't too bad, whereas it took me almost twice as long to drive my truck with the hydralic clutch...

Just some thoughts...

Ooooo for the old trucks where you had to stand up to steer .... and you had a left leg twice the size of your right because of the heavieness of the clutch and having to use it twice to do any gear change. Drivers these days expect everything done auto-electronically and don't know the value of getting their hands dirty to fix something. I worked on 1940's/50's 10 tonners when I was in the good old British Army, this was in the mid 80s. They had off road tyres nearly 4ft in diameter and handled like beached whales in anything less than 2ft of mud. If you got a gear change wrong you were lucky if you just hit neutral and didnt have your leg torn off by the clutch pedal kicking back. Oooo they where the days (NOT) thank god for the modern upgrades !!!

Don't forget the ear defenders and the bacon and eggs for the engine cover!! 8)