Why is the clutch so stiff?

[nextcar]

I've put 10k miles on my ms3 now, and I sometimes wonder why Mazda decided to put so much heft to the clutch pedal effort. Usually the clutch effort doesn't bother me too much but, when I'm stuck in prolonged stop and go traffic, I do get tired of the effort involved.

I have compared the effort to other stick shift cars, and I find that the ideal effort is on a BMW 328, which is significantly lighter than the ms3's. Even the 335, which is a higher performance car than the ms3, has a lighter effort than the ms3. The only car that I've driven that has a higher effort is the Porsche 911 S.

So what is the benefit of a stiff clutch pedal? Why did Mazda do it?

 

[sunny4201]

I've put 10k miles on my ms3 now, and I sometimes wonder why Mazda decided to put so much heft to the clutch pedal effort. Usually the clutch effort doesn't bother me too much but, when I'm stuck in prolonged stop and go traffic, I do get tired of the effort involved.

I have compared the effort to other stick shift cars, and I find that the ideal effort is on a BMW 328, which is significantly lighter than the ms3's. Even the 335, which is a higher performance car than the ms3, has a lighter effort than the ms3. The only car that I've driven that has a higher effort is the Porsche 911 S.

So what is the benefit of a stiff clutch pedal? Why did Mazda do it?

You bought a cheaper car...your gonna get a worse clutch.

 

[squidmotion]

i consider it pretty stiff also for a hydraulic clutch... i'm sure that the same components for the regular 3 series are used, and with a better clutch like this car needs for the extra power, more pressure plate spring tension will equal more pedal effort. just my thoughts...

i have had cars with manual clutches (a cable, or all mechanism to operate clutch) that were TERRIBLE. i used a borg and beck style in my nova once that would kill you on cruise nights... my leg would start shaking.....

 

[H3br3w_Ham3r]

I wouldn't complain. I've got a racing clutch installed on my 98 cobra and its hard to get it to the floor. Every time I get back in the MS3 I about put the clutch pedal through the floor.

 

[LukeP]

compared to aftermarket clutches, this one is light as a feather. My friend's 300z is a leg press. Get used to it, because this is NOTHING

 

[dandydaniel]

i find it pretty soft :X

 

[Circle9]

Try a '04 Cobra's clutch, talk about a work out!

 

[RC08MS3]

dude even my 00 GT was a stiff clutch, the MS3 is butter compared to it.

 

[DaleNixon]

Time to hit the Y and do some squats!

 

[GoFast]

I've put 10k miles on my ms3 now, and I sometimes wonder why Mazda decided to put so much heft to the clutch pedal effort. Usually the clutch effort doesn't bother me too much but, when I'm stuck in prolonged stop and go traffic, I do get tired of the effort involved.

I have compared the effort to other stick shift cars, and I find that the ideal effort is on a BMW 328, which is significantly lighter than the ms3's. Even the 335, which is a higher performance car than the ms3, has a lighter effort than the ms3. The only car that I've driven that has a higher effort is the Porsche 911 S.

So what is the benefit of a stiff clutch pedal? Why did Mazda do it?

Shortly after I got my MS3 i had the same feelings. What i ended up finding was that by adjusting my seat back another 2 clicks and raising the bottom of it to the max, it got a lot more comfortable in traffic. 40k miles later it doesn't bother me at all.

 

[Invictus]

I really like the feel of our clutch.

 

[rosskoss]

I think it's about perfect in terms of effort.

 

[nextcar]

i guess many people here are ok with the clutch effort. i guess it's all relative. for me, the honda civic's clutch is feather light. and the miata and bmw 328 are ideal.

 

[Nokkers3]

Damn that So Cal traffic. I hate it with a passion!

 

[imac]

Shortly after I got my MS3 i had the same feelings. What i ended up finding was that by adjusting my seat back another 2 clicks and raising the bottom of it to the max, it got a lot more comfortable in traffic. 40k miles later it doesn't bother me at all.

that's kinda funny, because i actually moved my seat up 2 clicks for the same reason. i think in my case it was because i was used to a higher release on the clutch in my old car, and by moving a little closer it kept the release point a little easier to adjust to when moving back and forth between cars.

to the OP, as far as being too stiff, mine feels nice and soft. it could be a car by car basis tho on clutch feel because that's a pretty fickle part of the car. i remember last year when people with 07's would complain that theirs was a little stiffer and engaged quicker, while the general consensus was that the newer ones weren't quite as bad.

that or you have girlyman legs...

 

[derspi]

I actually find the MS3 clutch to be pretty light effort. Compared to my brother's IS250 and my friend's Evo8, both of those cars have heavier clutches. About the only cars I've driven that have lighter clutches are pretty much all Hondas, including my previous Si.

 

[BillTheCat]

My clutch doesn't seem to require a real hefty effort. Of course, it's all relative, depending on what you're used to driving. I really hate a clutch that takes no effort at all, because I feel like I'm going to put my foot thru the floor pan. I like enough resistance to at least get some feedback thru the clutch.

What always gets me is when I have to drive my mother somewhere... she can't get in & out of cars that sit low to the ground, so I have to drive her in her RAV4, which is an automatic. (She cannot drive right now for medical reasons) And about half the time when I start it, I lift my left foot & stomp on the floor looking for the clutch. D'oh!

 

[DaleNixon]

Hey at least that RAV4 doesn't have a third pedal that's the E-BRAKE like my old F-150. Manual drivers used to smash that bad boy thinking it was a clutch while cruising.

 

[Kain]

If your clutch is still stiff after 4 hours, consult your doctor.

 

[eg6motion]

time to hit the gym...