Clutch Biting Point

[The Striding Man]

Hi folks,

Picked up our RAV4 yesterday and pleased to say that it runs nice and smooth. The only concerns that I have are that the biting point of the clutch is right at the top of the pedal travel( i.e. Pedal fully released). I am assuming that the adjustment is automatic and that the clutch may need replacing soon. It doesn't appear to be slipping yet.

The only other issue is when changing gear( clutch fully released and off the throttle) the engine revs appear to rise about 500rpm, almost like blipping the throttle when double declutching. It is doing this with no input from me. Otherwise it is running fine.

Your advice would be welcome

[CharlieFarlie]

From Your description it sound like the clutch is slipping... Pull the handbrake on firmly select second gear and try driving away with the handbrake still on... If the engine stalls immediately the clutch may be OK. If the engine note changes abut the car doesn't stall then its time for a new clutch..

I had the clutch in My car replaced along with the engine recently.. The bit point used to be high up the travel but not at the top. With the New clutch in place the bite point is now quite low down...............

[IanXT4]

The engine revs increasing is a feature of the engine ECU trying to reduce emissions !!

There were many posts a few years ago that give more info, I think it is also common/noticeable in some Fords.

In summary suddenly killing gas to the engine is bad for emissions, so the ECU controls the burn for a second or so.

If you slow/relax your gear changes a little after a while you no longer notice it.

[jedi134]

Could also be clutch pedal switch has gone faulty if it has one. Do you have cruise control.

This could cause revs to rise on gear change.

[IanXT4]

I think its unlikely that there is any fault, my 2004 Petrol VVTI has had this annoying characteristic since new. When I first owned the car I found it highly irritating and investigated it in some depth.

However, I changed my driving style and quickly got used to it. Here's one of the many 1000's of posts on the internet. Google - revs increase changing gear etc

(This one is for a Vectra to show its not just a Toyota issue)

My email to dealer:

After driving my New Vectra for almost a week now I have noticed that when I change gear (when the engine revs build up to around 2 -2.5k) the engine revs rise up by around 300 rpm when I dip the clutch. The revs fall to the idle speed after a second or so. Is this normal behaviour? Surely the engine revs should start to fall as soon as the clutch is disengaged? (My foot is off the throttle by the way).

Their reply:

I've looked into the problem you have described and after speaking to our Master Technician, he has assured me this is a design feature of the Vectra 1.8 VVTi engine. When you dip the clutch, there is a sensor which increases the revs temporarily to allow a purging of the catalytic converter.

However, be rest assured this isn't a problem with the engine. To put your mind at ease, I am more then happy to take you out in another 1.8 VVTi Vectra which will display the same characteristics. This being said, if your not happy with it and believe there is a problem feel free to book the car in with our service department.

[anchorman]

The rev thing is normal on a petrol.

If the clutch doesn't slip, stop worrying, it may stay like that for years.

[Big Kev]

Hi folks,

Picked up our RAV4 yesterday and pleased to say that it runs nice and smooth. The only concerns that I have are that the biting point of the clutch is right at the top of the pedal travel( i.e. Pedal fully released). I am assuming that the adjustment is automatic and that the clutch may need replacing soon. It doesn't appear to be slipping yet.

The only other issue is when changing gear( clutch fully released and off the throttle) the engine revs appear to rise about 500rpm, almost like blipping the throttle when double declutching. It is doing this with no input from me. Otherwise it is running fine.

Your advice would be welcome

Took wife's out this afternoon, Arthur....exactly same thing happened as on yours....had noticed it before, and blamed the "fault" on my coming from the dreaded 4.3 gearchange to her 4.2 gearchange. Also her clutch bite point not that low down either, and has only done 34k miles (2004). Calm yer big Clackmannian heid and good health tae drive it...!!

Big Kev

[CharlieFarlie]

I think I misunderstood the OPs description .. I had a BMW M3 with the SMT gearbox and it used to blip the throttle when going down the box... At first it seemed quite trick !! But after a while is was quite annoying ................

[Mistermena]

Hi folks,

Picked up our RAV4 yesterday and pleased to say that it runs nice and smooth. The only concerns that I have are that the biting point of the clutch is right at the top of the pedal travel( i.e. Pedal fully released). I am assuming that the adjustment is automatic and that the clutch may need replacing soon. It doesn't appear to be slipping yet.

The only other issue is when changing gear( clutch fully released and off the throttle) the engine revs appear to rise about 500rpm, almost like blipping the throttle when double declutching. It is doing this with no input from me. Otherwise it is running fine.

Your advice would be welcome

The engine rev rise is quite normal as said on petrol engined cars. My Volvo V70 T5 estate use to do the same thing and it was a real pain as I thought it was me not getting of the gas at the propper time. But it was normal... Have to say that I miss that car and never should have got rid of it to raise money to do my self build house! But such is life...

[The Striding Man]

LOL, you fellas have me sussed already and this is only my third post. I will stop worrying ma big heid uneccesarily and keep an eye on it. I'm like this with cars all the time fearing the worst every time I hear an odd noise. I blame it on owning a Fix Or Repair Daily Capri. :-).

Cheers

P.s. Noticed some condensation on the inside of the windscreen after all the heavy rain last night. Something else to fret about.

[jedi134]

P.s. Noticed some condensation on the inside of the windscreen after all the heavy rain last night. Something else to fret about.

Probably excess body sweat worrying about those revs

[Davrav]

P.s. Noticed some condensation on the inside of the windscreen after all the heavy rain last night. Something else to fret about.

Probably not.

Gave mine a good wash today and got same effect.

Just keep an eye on the carpets - if they get wet, then you've got a problem..........

[The Striding Man]

Yeah, checked the carpets before I bought it and they seemed fine. As soon as I get the time I will have them up for a look underneath.

I used to have a VW Passat that had it's own private pool in the front passenger footwell. The pollen filter seal was the culprit then.

[acetip]

If carpets wet it could be bladder problems.clutch and crotch playing up.

[Mistermena]

If carpets wet it could be bladder problems.clutch and crotch playing up.

Lmao mate! that one cracked me up! :lol:

How you doing my mate?

[The Striding Man]

Bladder problems....don't think so, me incontinence pants take care of that!

[Mistermena]

Bladder problems....don't think so, me incontinence pants take care of that!

Have you got the new TENOR MANS then?

[acetip]

Bladder problems....don't think so, me incontinence pants take care of that!

Have you got the new TENOR MANS then?

If he has the he may look like he has a permanent erection,but then may he is built that way.

i an doing alright matey.

[Mistermena]

Bladder problems....don't think so, me incontinence pants take care of that!

Have you got the new TENOR MANS then?

If he has the he may look like he has a permanent erection,but then may he is built that way.

i an doing alright matey.

I think I should paten them as I don't know if TENOR LADY has thought of us older blokes yet! Hahahaha

Gotta go... Think I might have :censor: myself again! Lmao

[anchorman]

Make sure the air inlet is set to fresh air and the cabin filter is clean. Other than that - bother none!

[Catweazle]

I have the same high biting point with my 2005 RAV and it's the one thing I've had trouble getting used to. Even now after 18 months of owning it, I sometimes have issues pulling away and not judging the biting point right. Both times it's been in for servicing I've asked them to check it out but they have said that it feels fine and shows no signs of slipping (I'd hope not as it's only done 36,000 miles).