2007 Yaris Basic Sedan Manual Transmission (Long Post)

[gearhead222]

Dear Fellow Yarisheads,
I realize that the 5 speed manual has a relatively small clutch and flywheel. Is the flywheel considered lightweight for the vehicle's size and Hp? I've owned manual 1994, 2004 and 2010 Honda Civic Coupes and all of them engaged the clutch with less pedal travel and more easily than my Yaris, with only 57K or so on the ODO. She has no oil leaks and the clutch is easy to use once one starts moving. However, if one isn't careful, the clutch chatters or the engine dies. This car was well taken care of by the former owner. I chased every parts except for the head and shoprtblock on a 1963 Falcon with three on the tree and no synchros in first, and she was easier to shift than the Yaris. She had a very light duty tranny and Ford dropped that tranny for 1964, redesigning it and adding another synchro. My point being that I am not a newbie to clutches and manual trannies. I was really confuzzled until I researched and discovered that flywheels are designed lighter to give better performance with lower Hp, lighter vehicles. Even the Car Care Nut recommends the auto over the manual with the Yaris, but he doesn't go into details. Getting ready to replace the tranny fluid, as the original factory install marks are untouched and, IIRC, Toyota recommends this be done around 40 or 50K. The Car Care Nut recommends it also, but I don't know the periodicity for this fluid change after that. Great forum, BTW! Am a new member, so appreciate any feedback on this. Moderators, if this has already been discussed or should be in another section of the forum, please advise-Thanx!:)-Gearhead222