As my title says, when I reverse on a hill,or when i set off on a hill and have to give the car loads of gas it really has one hell of a nasty smell.. Is this normal??

I used to get that a lot on my driving lessons hehe... I was told its something to do with the cat. convertor. It smells like rotten cabbages lol

Or it might be the clutch....

So how can I find out? Is it dangerous????

Agree with neeeeeeeeeek. Sounds like you're burning the clutch. It might be on it's way out, but more likely you need to get a better left foot technique.

Originally posted by Tony
Agree with neeeeeeeeeek. Sounds like you're burning the clutch. It might be on it's way out, but more likely you need to get a better left foot technique.

The clutch is very hard to press down, could that have anything to do with it

Does it smell like rotten eggs....if it does, it's most likely the catalytic converter....nothing to worry about, and the smell will disappear with time....there's a thread about it somewhere!

its more of a strong burning cabbagy smell? lol

Clutch! try not to control the speed of the car with the clutch.. sounds like thats what you are doing.

Originally posted by neeeeeeeeeek
Clutch! try not to control the speed of the car with the clutch.. sounds like thats what you are doing.

Interesting! can you elaborate? When I had to stop on that hagg hill ( i think thats it) is when it happened this aft.
I stuck my hanbrake on. Then when it was time to go, bite + loads of gas and off i went. Surely that right?

maybe it's the driving instructor fearful that you're about to roll back down Hagg Hill... :hihi:

Originally posted by Claire28
I stuck my hanbrake on. Then when it was time to go, bite + loads of gas and off i went. Surely that right?

yeah, but if you hold the bite for too long whilst you've got the handbrake on it's gonna make the clutch burn because its spinning over and biting but not going anywhere

least im pretty sure thats what happens, dunno... aint a mechanic, but I remember making my driving instructors car make nasty smells from the clutch a few times in my earlier lessons

Originally posted by xafier
yeah, but if you hold the bite for too long whilst you've got the handbrake on it's gonna make the clutch burn because its spinning over and biting but not going anywhere


Whats too long though? I may only be doing it 4-5 seconds. It needs that doesn't it?

You are best to do it so you can release the handbrake as you get the biting point. I never used to do this when I was driving company cars, but I'm getting my own next week so need to learn!

Get an automatic....no worries :D

Hagg hill?

Doesn't that have the reputation to be the steepest hill in Sheffield?

Originally posted by Claire28
Whats too long though? I may only be doing it 4-5 seconds. It needs that doesn't it?

It's the clutch from your description of the smell. It's a dry, acrid smell that hangs about in the car for a minute or two, yes?

You're letting the clutch out too slowly with too much gas, and it's burning the clutch plates. Try a bit of practice on hills that aren't so steep before doing Hagg Hill. There are plenty around Lodge Moor / Fulwood to try out.

No hill, no matter how steep would take you over a second if you're doing it right. It's just a matter of balancing it all, and that just takes practice and concentration.

Don't worry - you'll get it! :thumbsup:

Just out of curiosity.......
How many people use the foot brake instead of the handbrake to cary out these manouvres?

I have great difficulty with the handbrake, so the foot brake is the easier option :(

Its definitely the clutch. Happens all the timewhen its been held on the clutch for too long or with too much bite