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Hi all,

My 2004 Impreza RV's clutch is beginning to slip mainly in first gear and in higher gears under load or at high speeds. In first gear I can't get any more than 25-30km/h at 4500-5000 rpms (tried it just to see if it was slipping), 2nd and 3rd feel okay, 4th feels a bit sluggish and when I was driving on the freeway last time I got the cooked clutch smell when I went into 5th.

Is there an easy way to diagnose the problem, I bought it as a used car from a dealer so it is still under the used car warranty, but i just wanted to know if there was any sure fire way I could determine it was the clutch before I took it back in for them to have a look at?

Thanks!

5000 rpm and 30km/hr in first gear, the clutch must be slipping.

Wide open throttle in 3rd should get it to slip.

Eventually you won't be able to apply wide open throttle in any gear.

Have heard along the following lines. Note it is hard on the drivetrain, so only do it once or twice.

Drive along a flat stretch in third gear at a constant speed. Take your foot off the accelerator, then depress the clutch pedal and release it again (don't 'ease' the clutch out though). The engine/ drivetrain should take up again with a jolt. If it doesn't, your clutch is most likely on the way out.

You may be lucky and it just needs adjustment (if possible) on your vehicle. For example, my N13 Pulsar has a cable operated system that requires adjustment over time as the clutch wears.