Driving a car with a crap clutch

owenc · 05-09-2014 03:01PM #1

Hi, I am nearly ready for my test so I have got my dads car insured.

Only problem is that it is a Peugeot 306 and well the clutch is a disaster. I went out today and I nearly had a nervous breakdown, the car stalled on the roundabout 3 times and then when I went into Tesco I nearly crashed into a whole pile of cars. I had to reverse out and go in again twice when trying to get past the pilers in the yard. Also this car has a terrible hand break, in my instructors car if I am on a hill and the car stops I will put the hand break up but on this one the hand break is weak so I am terrified of rolling back down the hill.
My instructor never takes me into crowded places like that so I couldn't cope when all the cars started coming out from all directions. I am not rich enough to pay for a car crash. I am worried about driving this car because of the clutch and the gearstick, it is extremely hard to steer this car.

My father is terrible shouting and roaring in the background making me even worse, I think I will take my mum out with me from now on because he is going to make me crash with all that shouting!

I am not a crap driver but this car makes me look like a disaster! How can I get it to work?

Zubeneschamali · 05-09-2014 03:05PM

owenc wrote: »

My instructor never takes me into crowded places like that so I couldn't cope when all the cars started coming out from all directions. I am not rich enough to pay for a car crash. I am worried about driving this car because of the clutch and the gearstick, it is extremely hard to steer this car.

Get some lessons in your dads car. You are not even close to being ready for a test if you can't handle ordinary traffic from all directions.

cml387 · 05-09-2014 03:09PM

The "bite" point can vary from car to car, and varies depending on clutch wear.
If you're not experienced in driving, the variation can cause problems.

I think maybe you need more practice. And definitely don't go out with your dad.

Also have a look in the learning to drive forum, good tips there.

owenc · 05-09-2014 03:10PM

OSI wrote: »

I'd second Zubeneschamali. A 306 isn't particularly big, if you're not comfortable driving it to the point of a nervous breakdown, you really need more lessons.

But thats not true. I drive my instructors car and I am so confident but when I get into my dads car I have a panic attack because of the clutch and him shouting and roaring.

In his car if you even move the clutch slightly it shoots forward like 20 feet which is just no good in a packed traffic jam.

Dartz · 05-09-2014 03:13PM

The shouting and roaring would do it alone and magnify the issue.

Clutch feel can be weird. Some cars are genuinely horrible. It might also be worn to hell and back - especially if the handbrake isn't working. And it is genuinely possible it's a **** car in bad need of a service. You might want to inquire about using the instructor's car for the test.

dougie-lampkin · 05-09-2014 03:48PM

owenc wrote: »

In his car if you even move the clutch slightly it shoots forward like 20 feet which is just no good in a packed traffic jam.

Just to say, this means there's actually a very good clutch in the 306. A poor clutch will bite at the top when the friction material wears away, and has a very progressive bite as the pressure plate wears. After getting a new clutch fitted you would expect it to behave like the one you've just described, with a low down bite point and a more sudden engagement. You just need to get used to it.

The 306 ended production in 2002, so I'm going to assume the instructor's car is at least 10 years newer? That would explain why it feels different to you, things do wear over 10 years, and technologies have changed.

The majority of 306s left would be d-turbo or HDI (1.9 or 2.0 turbodiesel), whereas most instructors have small petrol engines. Just an assumption here, but I would guess you've gone from a small petrol to a relatively large diesel. Those diesels put out more torque at idle than even a 1.8 petrol would at peak. If you're jerky with the clutch on a smaller petrol engine, the engine isn't producing enough torque to overcome the load and will begin to stall, almost like a buffer. But if you're jerky with the clutch in a diesel engine, it will happily keep its idle speed and jump forward.

It sounds like your problems are not related to the car, to be honest. Would it be possible to get a few lessons with your instructor, while you're in the 306? I'd bet the confidence you had in the instructor's car wasn't actually down to the car itself.

biko · 05-09-2014 03:50PM

Motors -> LtD

punisher5112 · 07-09-2014 02:34PM

OP would you not use instructors car and rent it for the test.

ProudDUB · 07-09-2014 09:46PM

punisher5112 wrote: »

OP would you not use instructors car and rent it for the test.

Was just about to say that too. Do it in the instructors car. The last thing you need to be worrying about on test day, is a crap car. Also, if the car is in such bad condition, the instructor may stop the test after 2 minutes, if he thinks that the car is not road worthy or safe to drive. If that happens, you fail the test and you forfeit your test fee, as it is up to you to provide a road worthy car for the test.

Agree with the other poster. Get more lessons and stop driving with your dad. You don't sound at all as if you are ready for the test.

Buona Fortuna · 07-09-2014 09:53PM

ProudDUB wrote: »

Was just about to say that too. Do it in the instructors car. The last thing you need to be worrying about on test day, is a crap car. Also, if the car is in such bad condition, the instructor may stop the test after 2 minutes, if he thinks that the car is not road worthy or safe to drive. If that happens, you fail the test and you forfeit your test fee, as it is up to you to provide a road worthy car for the test.

Agree with the other poster. Get more lessons and stop driving with your dad. You don't sound at all as if you are ready for the test.

Especially if the handbrake will not hold the car on a hill.

It probably needs adjusting.

owenc · 08-10-2014 08:07PM

Just an update to say I have passed my theory test lol and I am now going out with my mum. Its fine with her except she has no confidence in me and keeps pulling up the handbreak at junctions..
She won't let me reverse out of the yard or drive into the yard.

I am trying to get used to the clutch and I am getting better but I still have difficulties with the car on small hills.. It seems to stall really easy in first gear. If I move onto a roundabout on first gear it does stall the odd time.

I just needed a bit of confidence. I haven't went out with my dad again, I went out the time after the thread start and he kept critcising me/shouting and made me stall on the roundabout.. So obviously I haven't bothered..

owenc · 08-10-2014 08:11PM

Dartz wrote: »

The shouting and roaring would do it alone and magnify the issue.

Clutch feel can be weird. Some cars are genuinely horrible. It might also be worn to hell and back - especially if the handbrake isn't working. And it is genuinely possible it's a **** car in bad need of a service. You might want to inquire about using the instructor's car for the test.

I know. I listened to the advice and went out with my mother and its been fine since. My dad is just a disaster. He can't understand that people can't do everything like him..

owenc · 08-10-2014 08:20PM

Btw maybe its just me but i've noticed alot of interolerance of L plate drivers. There seems to be this thing were people automatically tailgate when they see the L plate.

It doesn't even happen at 45 mph.. Sometimes i'll be in a 30mph zone and they'll be up my ass clearly doing over 30.. I've been in the same zone with my parents and they never get tailgaited.

Maybe i'm just paranoid but i've just noticed this..

punisher5112 · 08-10-2014 08:22PM

To be honest worry more about what is in front but do keep an eye all around.

Don't mind them some ar always in a rush to pass then pull in at next shop or even their house.

MascotDec85 · 09-10-2014 07:54AM

owenc wrote: »

Just an update to say I have passed my theory test lol.......

Didn't you have it passed when you started the thread?

SureYWouldntYa · 09-10-2014 02:39PM

owenc wrote: »

Btw maybe its just me but i've noticed alot of interolerance of L plate drivers. There seems to be this thing were people automatically tailgate when they see the L plate.

It doesn't even happen at 45 mph.. Sometimes i'll be in a 30mph zone and they'll be up my ass clearly doing over 30.. I've been in the same zone with my parents and they never get tailgaited.

Maybe i'm just paranoid but i've just noticed this..

this happens me in everywhere as well. i don't condon speeding but i was doing 120 in a 100, and i still had someone on me hole.

same thing is gonna happen with N plates, to be honest i hope no heed is passed on N plates after a while

owenc · 09-10-2014 04:34PM

SureYWouldntYa wrote: »

this happens me in everywhere as well. i don't condon speeding but i was doing 120 in a 100, and i still had someone on me hole.

same thing is gonna happen with N plates, to be honest i hope no heed is passed on N plates after a while

Its so annoying because i'm not even driving below the speed limit and I know that they will not do that without l plates.

I can't tell you why · 10-10-2014 02:31PM

owenc wrote: »

Its so annoying because i'm not even driving below the speed limit and I know that they will not do that without l plates.

They will do it even if you don't have L or n plates. Most people drive too close to the car in front, to a lesser or greater degree. Annoying, but fact.

I can't tell you why · 10-10-2014 02:35PM

owenc wrote: »

Just an update to say I have passed my theory test ..

Were you getting driving lessons before you passed you theory test? If you have a proper driving instructor and can legally drive, they should be taking you out in all the traffic that your Dad is bringing you in.

Driving a car with a crap clutch

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