Thar driven up an incline in 3rd gear, burning the clutch: Need Advice

Mahindra advised me to replace the full assembly after a road test, I don't think that's necessary for a month-old SUV.

BHPian madbullram recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi guys, I need some advice.

A friend of mine wanted to try my Thar and while leaving the basement and climbing the incline (to the ground floor), by mistake, he drove in 3rd gear and the Jeep switched off. He restarted and in panic (there was a car behind), revved in 3rd gear to ensure the Thar climbed the incline. You know what would have happened now!

I was waiting for him on the ground floor. When I drove it home I got a burnt smell and I knew it was clutch and it was intense.

I drove straight to Mahindra service to check and they did a road test and advised me that the complete assembly needed to be changed as it is burnt. The estimate is Rs 18k to 22k. If I don't change it now, it might impact other components and might end up with much higher expenses. I told them to let me think about it and drove back home.

The vehicle was driving fine and a mild smell was there. I am thinking I should let the clutch cool down and tomorrow try it and it should be fine. Yes, I am sure there is a big impact on the clutch life but I am not sure it's that bad that the entire assembly needs to be changed for a 1-month-old 3k kilometres Thar.

What do you guys think? Are they (Mahindra service) overcomplicating it or am I oversimplifying this?

Note: I have not driven the vehicle above 40 km/h after this as I was worried about the impact. I can take it for a drive tomorrow and see how it behaves at a higher speed.

Here's what BHPian kosjam had to say on the matter:

There may have definitely been damage to the clutch plates, but if you do not feel like slipping while running the engine at a constant rpm in a particular gear, especially a higher gear, then it should be fine.

It may have shortened the life of your clutch, but I doubt, it shortened it to such an extent. Even if you run your vehicle this way, till the time you do not feel slippage, there is no hurry to change.

If you told the authorized service station the reason for doing the road test, they will definitely advise you to change the clutch. They will prey upon your fear. You could do one thing. You can push them to open the clutch and visually check the condition of the clutch plates. Compare the thickness with a new plate, this should give you an idea of the condition and further roadworthiness of the clutch plates.

Here's what BHPian revsperminute had to say on the matter:

Are you sure the clutch is shot after just one such instance? Sure, it wasn’t the right thing to do but I really don’t think it cooked the clutch.

Some ways to check clutch wear in case you’re unfamiliar:

1. Drive normally, put it in 4th gear around 50kmph, let the clutch out and apply full throttle. Check for the engine revving without any/minimal change in speed.
2. Clutch pedal becomes touchy i.e, the bite point rises on the pedal.
3. Downshift without rev-matching, if the engine doesn’t shoot up in revs immediately, there’s something wrong with the clutch assembly.
4. Problems while pulling away on a slope

If still in doubt, get it checked by a good independent workshop before changing the assembly. It’s not so easy to cook the clutch on a brand-new vehicle.

Here's what BHPian Jeroen had to say on the matter:

I would challenge the Mahindra service. The thing is that without actual slippage of the clutch, nobody can tell you anything about the state of the clutch. To the best of my knowledge, there are less than a handful of cars out there where you can measure clutch water without taking the gearbox and clutch assembly apart. My forty-year-old Mercedes W123 is one of them.

Unless they can show you measurements or concrete evidence of clutch slip under certain conditions they are absolutely full of it!

Now, you can easily burn out a clutch in a matter of 30-60 seconds. But there are so many variables you just can’t tell, unless the clutch is actually slipping or you take it apart and measure the clutch plate.

Nothing is going to get damaged because of a slipping clutch. Unless you keep repeatedly forcing it into gear.

Here's what BHPian Redex had to say on the matter:

Hi, the easiest way to check for clutch slip:

1. Find somewhere safe, preferably not on a public road.
2. Fully apply the hand brake.
3. Engage in first gear.
4. Increase rpm to about 2,000
5. Slowly release the clutch (not too slowly just like you would do normally), and try to pull away.
6. The car should stall.

As the car is now the handbrake should stall the car, which may not work so well with older cars, in that case, try a handbrake hill and start on a steep hill. Don't try this more than once without allowing the clutch to cool completely.

If the car does not stall the clutch is probable shot. It will not tell you how much clutch material is left. In your example, I doubt that the clutch will be worn out. Not really long enough to cause severe damage, warping etc. The burning smell will go eventually, it may take weeks. Just depends on how sensitive your sense of smell is.

P.S.: I never let anyone else drive my vehicles. My current diesel daily commuter has run nearly 300,000 kms on the original clutch and is almost 19 years old

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