when accelerating car will rev up then drop RPM

[kanga80]

Recently my car ('16 GT/Manual) started doing this weird thing. I think it is something with the transmission/clutch but I am not a mechanic so I really don't know. When I get on the throttle in the higher gears it will rev up then drop RPM then start accelerating. If I really push the gas it will rev higher before dropping. it happens in all gears it is just more prevalent in the higher gears. It is also unavoidable, even if I roll into the gas it will still do it.

My car is at 31K miles so I hope it isn't the clutch but IDK.

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[gmupatriot]

sounds like a slipping clutch. I do not have a manual Mustang so my experience in limited to other manual cars I have but in your case, I would look at the clutch first before digging into anything else. Good luck!

 

[kanga80]

sounds like a slipping clutch. I do not have an manual Mustang so my experience in limited to other manual cars I have but in your case, I would look at the clutch first before digging into anything else. Good luck!

Unfortunately, this is also what I think as well. This is my first manual, and my parents never had a manual growing up so I am just guessing.

 

[Zeb8806]

For sure sounds like the clutch. Drive down the road at 45 in 4th gear, apply break pressure and gas at the same time and see if the rpms start to climb as the car slows.

 

[kanga80]

For sure sounds like the clutch. Drive down the road at 45 in 4th gear, apply break pressure and gas at the same time and see if the rpms start to climb as the car slows.

What does it mean if the rpms do or don’t rise? Does this rule something out?

 

[Vlad Soare]

What does it mean if the rpms do or don’t rise? Does this rule something out?

If they rise while the car is slowing down, it means the clutch is slipping.

 

[WD Pro]

Drive at a steady lowish speed. Clutch in. Select sixth. Rev to 5k +. Clutch out.

Engine revs drop immediately / engine bogs down = clutch OK.

Engine revs drop lethargically / engine doesn't bog = clutch gone.

Don't do the above repeatedly ...

If its gone, drive very sedately to help the clutch not to slip. If it starts to slip get off the gas very quickly - once a clutch has started to go it's very easy to finish them off quickly (with a very pungent smell ). Unless you want to use a recovery truck, don't do any stop light races or pulls ...

WD

 

[Rapid Red]

Drive at a steady lowish speed. Clutch in. Select sixth. Rev to 5k +. Clutch out.

Engine revs drop immediately / engine bogs down = clutch OK.

Engine revs drop lethargically / engine doesn't bog = clutch gone.

Don't do the above repeatedly ...

If its gone, drive very sedately to help the clutch not to slip. If it starts to slip get off the gas very quickly - once a clutch has started to go it's very easy to finish them off quickly (with a very pungent smell ). Unless you want to use a recovery truck, don't do any stop light races or pulls ...

WD

Negative ............Don't do the above at all period. If the RPMs are acting as OP says all gears, it's the clutch . Only other thing I'd question, or check. Verify the clutch pedal is returning to the home position , and that is even a stretch .
If it is not, in theory it could keep pressure on the throw out bearing. Not allowing the pressure plate to fully engage the clutch pack.

A clutch slipping caused by wear is better than one slipping do to an oil leak.

The more one plays games the worse the damage can be . Over heating the fly wheel and pressure plate not good or smart

 

[FreePenguin]

ive always just put it in a higher gear than usual, give some gas, if the engines rpms go up, but car doesn't move at a reasonable speed higher, clutch slip

 

[K4fxd]

Time for a clutch

 

[Rapid Red]

Does the 16 have the dual disk ? Pleased to learn the 2020 does..

 

[Elp_jc]

Definitely a clutch issue. With so little miles, may I ask if you bought the car used? If not, how do you drive it? Post detailed info to try to guess why it happened.

 

[kanga80]

Definitely a clutch issue. With so little miles, may I ask if you bought the car used? If not, how do you drive it? Post detailed info to try to guess why it happened.

I bought it brand new. I have a 1 mile commute to work, and every now and then I will drive it further into town/weekends. I drive it fast, but don’t beat on it. It just randomly started, it didnt like slowly start and then get worse over time.

 

[Rapid Red]

Seems everyone has told you to investigate the clutch. No mechanic as you , well what do you think you should do next?

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