Welcome to the forum and.... if it is slipping, how far is this shop that you want to bring it to, that and what the roads are like, hills and such will determine weather or not to take the risk of driving it there.
And yes like Anex 570 said, clean it up good so when they mechanics get to work on it, at least they dont have to fight with dirty **** all over, and take longer to do the job right = more money out of your pocket.
I had a datsun 610 station wagon and the clutch was slipping, really bad (start out in 4th) and i drove the **** out of it and roasted the tires like nothing and it never failed, but eventually i replaced the clutch anyways.. but thats besides the point, this car is your baby and you dont want to wreak it right...
Anyways, have fun with that and dont never give up on these little cars even if there tempermental, there way too much fun to put aside.
Lata

 

im not understanding how starting off in 5th gear is going to show that the clutch is slipping. im sure i could start my car off in 5th but slip the **** out of it. how is this any different with a worn clutch?

 

You do not do the test by slipping the **** out of it, you take off normally as you would be driving in 1st gear. And if the car does not stall and proceeds to go forward the clutch is slipping and is worn out.

 

I vote she's fine driving it to a shop.
I drove on a slipping clutch and a failing slave cylinder for about six months. I drove it hard and tried to do it in just to get it's pain over with but it didn't do anything until if finally went. Poor Honda.

 

According to the Chilton's manual, the way to test the clutch is like this:

1. Start the car
2. Push the clutch in
3. Push in the brake to keep the car from moving
4. Move the shifter to 5th gear
5. Slowly release the clutch (without adding throttle)

If the engine stalls, then the clutch is "serviceable" which I assume means that it will last for some time. I was going to mention this earlier Doc, but I was at work and in a hurry. Anybody can start driving a car in 5th gear if you slip the clutch enough. I knew what you meant, but it wasn't really clear in your post.

Now, having said that I will also say that your issue is most likely your driving style. If you want a clutch to last, then you have to use it almost like an on/off switch. Give it as little throttle as you need to, and let the clutch out as quickly as you are able to without jerking it around. High revs and slow release make for a hot (and soon to be dead) clutch.

"I do tend to ride the clutch sometimes and I use it creatively, to get more power out of the car, etc. "

Basically, this needs to stop. Don't ever (and I do mean ever) ride the clutch. Don't ever use the clutch pedal as a foot rest, as even light pressure can cause slippage. Don't ever use the clutch to hold yourself on a hill (like at a stop light, etc.).

Just remember that a clutch has a finite lifespan. The more you let it slip, the sooner it will die. But if you let it get hot by allowing too much slippage, then it will die very quickly. I hope this helps. Good luck with the cars.

 

You are fine to drive that car to the shop. I had a civic that you couldn't drive in 4th cause the clutch slipped so bad and I still drove it all over. Last night I took my RX-7 to the track and found out the clutch was slipping and drove it all the way home and all over this morning.

 

The most common parts to fail that cause you not to still drive your rex to the shop on clutch related are. 1). pilot bearing seizing up on the input shaft. 2). T/O bearing seizing up on the front cover housing. There are times when you can let it go too long that the lining is so fryed that the car will just not move. Most of them being when you have an extreme oil leak like a rear main seal.
And it is a known common thing that women rest their foot slightly on the clutch pedal, it seems to be a comfort thing. One of the first things i would look for when i was a service manager and a women would come in about a clutch/trans problem. I would ask them to take me for a test drive and observe their habits. And bingo the foot was constantly on the
pedal. Don't take it personal Gillian, us men have our own bad habits,lol.
Kenestu, thanks for the added info. Being around cars so long and previously being employed in the business i sometimes forget that not everyone will know what i'm refeering to.