First time EVO owner...bought a '03 in March and was wondering if it's typical for these clutches to not engage smoothly until warmed up a bit. Standing start with a cold clutch takes more than a little attention to keep from being too jerky. No apparent slippage, noises or any other signs of trouble.

 

You don't have a IX, btw.

It's not the clutch that needs heating up - it's the tranny and tranny fluid.

 

Oops...my Greek counting skills just went to hell...yes I have a VIII

 

That's rather odd...I've owned more than a dozen manual trans cars and cycles and never had clutch take-up/engagement be an issue related to fluid temperature. Yes, gear selection is stiff when cold but that's too be expected. I was wondering if the clutch friction material required some heat to engage smoothly.

 

Are u sure it is a stock clutch?? Aftermarket clutches tend to be "grabby" and I would say your evo being an 03 there is a very good chance your not on the original clutch.

 

Good point...I don't know what clutch I have now. The previous owner already replaced the brakes pads and rotors and the car has less than 36000 on it. Could be a rather abused vehicle...can't know for sure I guess.

 

I still have stock clutch on my 03. I experience the same "problem" every morning, not that this is a true problem. Warrtalon may be right, try idling a bit longer and then engage and drive, you'll notice it's less sensitive.

 

Although the only problem is that idling only heats up the coolant and engine oil. You have to drive the car to heat up the trans oil.

 

ideling long enough WILL heat up the trans, not just the coolant and engine oil.

 

greek? those are roman numerals....

 

No, I do NOT recommend warming up the car by idling. YOu warm the car up by driving out of boost. Plus, like the others said, to warm up the tranny fluid, you need to be driving/shifting anyway.

 

That would take entirely too long. Next time you change your trans oil, make sure the engine is cold and then run the car for a few mins and then drain the trans oil and see how hot it is. I bet its still cold and thick. Once you start driving it will heat up much faster so its really pretty pointless to let the car idle just to heat up the trans oil.

 

yea i usually only let my car warm up for 2 min if its been sitting overnight or 5 min if its frozen out.

 

I get a tiny bit of non smooth clutch grab when starting off the line when my IX is cold but it smooths out after some quicker take offs. I've had two mitsubishi dealers say its notmal but i think they're full of crap.