Owe you guys a beer:
On the way to the airport on Tuesday I floored it in 6th to move into the fast-lane and the clutch utterly failed (car redlined, didn't re-engage until I let off the gas). Horrible burning clutch smell filled the car. Slippage in all gears even with steady pressure on the gas.
Dropped the car back at the dealership last night on the way home.
They're replacing the clutch and flywheel under warranty.
Booya.
To answer various questions
-I haven't been overly rough on the clutch but starting too fast in 1st has caused the clutch to slip since I bought the vehicle.
-I got into the habit of engine braking - especially in bad weather or if I had the need to stop really suddenly. Apparently this is hard on the clutch.
-Dealership can't explain what happened. They believe it has been faulty since day 1.
Anyway, tl;dr:
-My initial suspicion proved correct. If this happens to you, your clutch is about to go and you should take it to a shop immediately.
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