Clutch biting point too high = higher fuel consumption?

[zibizibi]

Hi everyone,

I brought my car to the mechanic because the rear gear is hard to pass and fuel consumption is higher than it should. I've been told that the clutch's biting point if too high and must be replaced.

Question: is it true that this problem should increase fuel consumption as well as make gears (the rear one for ex) tougher?

[spider]

The biting point will not effect fuel consumption in any way really.

If you are having problems selecting gears (1st and reverse especially) it usually means the clutch is 'dragging' ie not dis-engaging. If the biting point was high up the pedal you have more travel so this should not actually happen.

A slipping clutch could use more fuel although its more likely to smell and burn the plates not to mention you'd realise what was going on I think.

What will (apart from engine problems etc) are binding brakes.


I think they are two separate issues, the clutch adjustment (if its not worn out) and fuel consumption.

[zibizibi]

Thanks for the input. I think the clutch has been told to be "gone" or something like that, not just that the biting point was high. If the clutch is worn out or something, can THIS affect fuel consumption, and can it affect how tough gears are? Sorry for not having mentioned that earlier.

[Chlorate]

Andy's point still stands really - the only way having a duff clutch would affect your fuel consumption is if it was slipping, but really if that were the case you would be less worried about about fuel consumption and more concerned with the horrid smell of burning cabbages and why your engine revs are going up but you're not accelerating.
I don't know what you mean about having tough gears...gears are gears, the clutch is just the interface between the engine and gearbox.

Alex

[john]

i'd guess "tough gears" is difficulty in getting them?

[flying clutchman]

Lots of my customers who have a slipping clutch do complain of higher fuel consumption as well. It's amazing people don't notice the clutch slipping. You don't say which model you have.

[zibizibi]

I have a Citroen C3. Right now its consumes 23L for 160 miles which is about 9 liters for 100km and I only drive within city. I have M.O.T couple days ago and there was no mention about the clutch being deficient or anything, although 2 mechanics told me it had to be replaced. Weird.

[Stewart(oily)]

I have a Citroen C3. Right now its consumes 23L for 160 miles which is about 9 liters for 100km and I only drive within city. I have M.O.T couple days ago and there was no mention about the clutch being deficient or anything, although 2 mechanics told me it had to be replaced. Weird.

Not really, the clutch is not a part of the MOT.

[Mandrake]

Indeed. A lot of people seem to get the idea that an MOT pass means a car in good health - not at all, it just means that it passes the safety and functional requirements - brakes/suspension working, indicators and lights etc...

The gearbox/engine/clutch or anything else non safety critical could fail the following day after an MOT...