2013 5spd Clutch Question

[miuzi05]

I have a question for anybody more familiar with hydraulic clutches than myself. My last car, an old Civic, had a purely mechanical clutch, with no boost, and it had a very predictable feel (predictably worse than my Focus ). My new 2013 Focus, though, which I've had a little more than a month, obviously is hydraulic. I've noticed that, when I drive the car for an extended period of time on a highway, without shifting, when I do eventually shift, the clutch pedal is noticeably stiffer than usual. This is only the case on the first shift, though. It feels normal (lighter) on the second shift. My question is, is this normal with an hydraulic clutch? I've been assuming that the pressure changes (either rising or falling from normal) when the clutch pedal hasn't been depressed for a long period of time, like more than 30 minutes.

It's not something that's bothering me at all, I'm pretty much just curious. I absolutely love the clutch and transmission combo in the car. It's fun, and the spacing of the gears works beautifully for my driving habits. Such a positive feel.

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[miuzi05]

Also, I apologize if this has already been covered in another thread. I tried to search for anything related to this, but didn't find any other threads.

[BetaDnB]

I've always found hydraulic clutch pedal feel on all my manuals can be like that. It seems to be dependant on the tempurature. It makes sense to me that the warmer the fluid gets, the more pressure will be created due to expansion.
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[BrApple]

I have noticed this previously on other cars I own. Not sure I have noted it yet with the Focus, but it doesn't sound out of the norm to me.

[miuzi05]

Awesome guys, good to know that it's to be expected.