Clutch life (Audi 100 C4)

As already mentioned in the section "Operating principle", each engagement of the clutch results in the friction linings of the driven disk rubbing against the mating friction surfaces, heating up in the process. Wear is especially accelerated when starting off at high engine speeds, the so-called "sharp start", starting off in second gear, "cheating" at intersections in second or third gear with the clutch pedal partially depressed, or "balancing" on an incline.