What exactly is slipping on a worn clutch, and how can you tell that it occurs?? I'm concerned because I just got my car in manual, and I'm not sure how good the clutch is. Also, I am new to driving stick and would like to know. The only slipping I know of, is when heat and power are exhausted as torque is transmitted from the engine allowing the vehicle to be launched or the engine rotation to adjust to new gear ratios. My understanding is that it is natural and necessary, but it wastes energy so it is undesirable to allow it to go on for any longer than just over a second. But I keep hearing about slipping being an indicator of worn clutches if it occurs when shifting in like 4th or 5th gear, does this slipping occur without the driver initiatiing it?? Is it the same slippage?? How can you tell when the clutch is slipping??????

 

A good way to check is to put your tranny in 5th at a low speed like thirty or so, and pin it. If the motor starts revving, almost as if you had the clutch pedal depressed half way, and your car isnt accelerating then you need a new clutch. Clutch slippage occurs when the friction material on the disc wears out. The friction material on a clutch disc is almost like the friction material on the pads of a disc brake, after a while it wears away. When most or all of the friction material is gone, the clutch will start to slip, and eventually it won't transmit any power from the engine to the wheels.