NEED URGENT HELP -- 2000 Mazda Protege, 5 Speed, 1.6L, Clutch Appears To Be Slipping
 

Hi there everyone. I need some help very quickly. I have to be on a 300KM trip to work in the morning on the highway and the clutch will not let me do it.

When I drive down the road, doing 60 km/h in 5th gear, 1600 rpm, and FLOOR the gas pedal, the RPMs rise as if the car was in neutral. This really affects the car when going up hill on the highway at about 110 km/h, 5th gear, 3100 rpm.


Does this mean the clutch is broken? Is there ANYTHING I can do so I can make this trip in the morning safely?

Thanks in advanced for any information!

If the clutch is worn, there is nothing you can do but rent a car.
The only thing other than a worn clutch could be a clutch pedal that is out of adjustment and therefore doesn,t allow the clutch to fully engage. You should have about an inch of free travel before you feel the resistance of the clutch mechanism.
The pedal travel can be adjusted at the pedal mechanism.
....I am not optimistic here.... good luck!

Thanks for the reply. I bought another Protege where I am visiting.

I have a hunch that it may be - like you said - the adjustment. If not, it could be the slave cylinder or low fluid (as people have been telling me).

The clutch problem has only happened all of a sudden. So I highly doubt it's the clutch being too worn.

Any other opinions?