I rarely drive the Z hard. I brought it up to redline the first time tonight and I smelled a burning odor. Basically transmission smell, its working hard. Ive smelled it before in other cars and never really thought much of it but now Im concerned. Is this ok because I pushed to her hard tonight or is somehting wrong. And yes I keep my baby in tip top condition...did I hurt my car?

 

depends, could also be that you weren't use to shifting at such high rpms so there might have been a split second of clutch riding for every gear you went into. Either that, or you're low on oil...or if you're not past the initial break-in period, that could be it too..other than that nothing else comes to mine

 

Thanks for responding. No, not low on oil, I guarantee. I thought I might have ridden 5th too long. though. As I was going into 6th I was thinking about 5th, wondering if I rid it too long. Did I hurt my car?

 

I doubt it, the burnt clutch smell happens from time to time usually when newer people ride the clutch for too long. A good tip is when you're going from 5th to 6th, you hardly even have to touch the gas pedal, you basically just rest your foot on it when you're re-engaging the clutch. I've only been driving standard for a year but I've never had that smell happen before but I hear about it a lot...as long as it was only this once I doubt anything is too hurt. Basically, this is what happened, you probably rode the clutch a bit...if you rub your arm really fast and hard for 10 seconds and then smell your arm, it'll smell like ****. That's exactly what probably happened.

 

Ok, thanks. Thats cool. Kinda what Im thinking. Like I said I dont drive hard EVER but thought Id open her up on the open road for once. And yeah, probably rode 5th for a bit too long. Thanks for your input.

 

First time I redlined mine, I had a burning electrical smell
when I parked her. It went away, and never was an issue.
I don't make a habit of redlining though.

 

Yeah, me either. Im just wondering if I damged the engine in some fashion.

 

https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-nissan-350z/292570-who-here-redlines-every-gear-every-chance-they-get.html

 

Is there a hole in the bottom of the motor with oil pouring out?

 

LMAO, no man, no. OMG.

 

your good man once you get on the z it smells sometimes. Nothing is wrong im sure. The Z can take a beating. Im like you rarely get on it hard, but ive met people that drive it like they stole it, and theirs are still in great shape.

 

I do. Z has been fine so far. I dont think it's an oxymoron to drive your car hard AND take good care of it.

 

Then I think you are going to be just fine.

 

If your car is properly maintained and the oil level is good, you have nothing to worry about. Cars, performance cars in particular, are meant to be driven, and if you aren't holding her at redline, you aren't doing any damage. So you shifted into 6th at redline?

 

Thanks for all your input guys, I FEEL alot better and my car does seem fine. Maybe even a bit better.

Yes, I shifted into 6th at ABOUT redline....

 

Damn how fast were you going at 7k in 5th ?

 

I was at 7K IN 5th going to sixth. I dont really know. The road is wide open and straight as all hell. At least a hundred I would guess right?

 

don't worry about it man! Your Z is fine!

 

Don't ride the clutch pedal with your left foot....


Seriously, all this talk of being afraid to redline the car is ridiculous. We seem to have a new wave of wusses buying Z's or something because these threads keep popping up. Seriously, go out there and drive the car hard. It was made for it!

 

I read some threads on here about not dynoing this car in 5th gear because the speed gets too high. I would think 140+ but I have never tried redlining 5th