On Sat, 21 Feb 2004, Rob Campbell wrote:

> I was driving 87 Vanagon GL through some fairly demanding terrain,
> downtown Seattle, very hilly stop-and-go traffic.  I consider myself
> fairly skilled with driving a manual, but as I was repeatedly stopping
> at stop signs on very steep hills, I started to detect "clutch smell".

Are you using the 'handbrake method' for doing hill starts?  It's a bit
awkward in a Vanagon due to the low location of the lever, but it can
save wear on your clutch if you do this often.

(Handbrake method: Depress the button on the handbrake lever and pull it
upwards to hold the vehicle from rolling back as you move your foot from
the brake to the accellerator.  Release the handbrake gradually as the
clutch begins to grab.)

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Volkswagen Diesel Westfalia
'86 Volvo 240DL wagon