Paddle Shifters...? In Your Dreams...... Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Edit Profile

FerrariChat.com » General Ferrari Discussion Archives » Archive through May 13, 2003 » Paddle Shifters...? In Your Dreams...! (No, seriously...) « Previous Next »

Author Message
Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member
Username: Artherd

Post Number: 307
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:55 pm:   

The BEST way is to do this:

Wait untill you are very close to the (abandoned) intersection, doing about 70mph in 5th gear. When you are at the right point, STAND on teh brakes to 8/10th of incipent lockup, and PULL the left handle 4 times as fast as you can!!

Vrooooooooooooooomm......
VRROOoo!!!!!<bam!>
VRROOOooo!!!!!<bam!>
VRROOOOoooo!!!!!<bam!>
VRROOOOOoooooommmmm!!!!!

Like schuei coming off the back straight!

Best!
Ben.
Jason Fraser (Jfraser)
Member
Username: Jfraser

Post Number: 338
Registered: 3-2001
Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 9:43 pm:   

Paul,
It's best to shift down the box....I think the best approach to driving an F1 is treat it as though its a manual (albeit without a clutch pedal) rather than as an automatic.
Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member
Username: Ebrigham

Post Number: 13
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 8:40 am:   

Jim, thanks again! I did not know about this feature, and it will make my life a little easier (as will the CD tweak).
Paul Bianco (Paulie_b)
Junior Member
Username: Paulie_b

Post Number: 65
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 7:04 am:   

Technical Question: when slowing down a car with an F1, is it better to downshift manaully or let it downshift by itself? Which way is less wear on the clutch/transmission etc.? When I come up to a stop sign or light I ususally put it in neutral as suggested in other F Chat notes. The question above is when the car is moving faster.
Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member
Username: Hardtop

Post Number: 533
Registered: 1-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 10:49 pm:   

DES
I see the F1 tranny (aka fancy automatic) in my dreams too, only they are nightmares.

DAve
Dave Burch (Merlyn)
Junior Member
Username: Merlyn

Post Number: 62
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 9:28 pm:   

Thanks for the answers, guys. A few more....

>>> I absoultly love the F1 transmission on the 355. I don't care much for it on a 360.

Why? What's the difference?


If you leave it in gear and brake to a complete stop, do you kill the engine? Or does it auto-shift to N?
___________________________________

sorry for the delay, I've been gone all day

When you come to a stop it stays in first gear with clutch in as long as you have your foot on the brake If you take your foot off the brake and the gas the trans shifts into neutral and sounds a beep so you know you are in neutral. I leave my foot on the brake always at stop lights with no ill effects so far. Yes, its wearing the throwout bearing, but I don't worry about it. They are very long lived.

355 vs 360, The 360 drive by wire systen has different logic in the software and it blips the throttle between up shifts shifts. I don't know why, but It seems rougher to me. It may well be subjective on my part, but I have driven two of them with the same results. The 355 seems seamless both on upshifts and downshifts. It may be that mine just happens to be adjusted perfectly, I don't know as its always been that way for 15,000 miles
The only clunk is the first couple of shifts when the car is cold.
James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member
Username: Napolis

Post Number: 1225
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 8:21 pm:   

Eric
Another thing you may want to know is that if you downshift into 1 and downshift again you'll engauge low range. 1&R will flash in low range. Low range is usefull for parking or very slow stop and go as it's less wearing on the clutch. BTW there is also a software upgrade that enables the CD system to remember what CD you were listening to when you turned off the car.
Best
Jim
Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member
Username: Ebrigham

Post Number: 12
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 6:01 pm:   

DES, I believe Jim�s advice was directed against leaving the clutch fully engaged for extended periods (i.e. Making a habit of sitting at stop lights while in 1st). I don�t think there is any issue with waiting until the car d/s to 1st before putting it in neutral. However, some people simply do go into neutral well before the stop, and then coast/brake until they reach the appropriate spot (And I presume this habit would be even easier on the clutch). I don�t think anyone practices this going backward though. Jim, if I am incorrect in your advice, let me know.

I think you might be a little confused on how the Reverse lever works. Its only purpose is to put you into reverse gear; pulling it again does not get you out of reverse or put you into neutral (one-way action only). This thingamajig is a spring loaded mechanism you pull up (it snaps back into position on its own) to get into reverse. If you are in reverse and want to go forward again, simply come to a complete stop and with your foot on the brake, pull the upshift paddle - you will now be in 1st gear. You do not need to go from Reverse, to Neutral, then to 1st.

I am probably over-complicating what really is an intuitive process. It really is like playing a video game. I am a big fan�
Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member
Username: Ebrigham

Post Number: 11
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 5:14 pm:   

JM, we have another thing in common, gravitating toward the left lane! FWIW, the dealer didn't sound overly concerned, though he could theoretically be down-playing the issue. He said that Maserati hadn't officially released the ECU update yet for the 2002 models, so wasn't able to proactively update cars as of yet. The new software is available for them to download, however. The dealer did admit he didn't necessarily have the complete picture from Maserati, so some of my info could be off.

Red (Redhead)
Junior Member
Username: Redhead

Post Number: 230
Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 5:06 pm:   

DES-
If you hit the button on the Enzo, or lift up the t handle on the others,while in motion, nothing happens. The computer is smart enought to lock you out of triyng to blow-up your tranny. In regards to pulling up to a stop, you can leave it in gear and as posted, and it will automaticly downshift so that your in the best gear for the speed as you slow down. Once you get to the stop, it should d/s into 1st automaticly, and then your off like a bat out of hell. If you pull in both handles at,lets say 35, and then tap the right handle to go back into gear, it will put you up into 5th or 6th, just to be safe, then u can d/s back to 3rd and take off.
Once u drive 1 mile in it, you relazie your drving a video game. It is not that hard at all.
DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member
Username: Sickspeed

Post Number: 3859
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 5:01 pm:   

This is exactly what i was looking for, thanks, everyone... Just a few things:
If it's not good for the clutch to come to a complete stop in 1st gear, what do you do when going in reverse...? Do you hit that "R" button before coming to a stop and just let the car roll until you want to brake or...?
i get the impression from these answers that if one accidentally hits the paddles while going in reverse, nothing will happen, but if you've come to a complete stop and hit the upshift paddle, will the car automatically engage 1st...?


quote:

"...and I must have had at least 3 wheels up in the air..."




Just three...? :-)
JM Zarka (Crazy_horse)
New member
Username: Crazy_horse

Post Number: 45
Registered: 2-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 4:50 pm:   

Eric,
Thanks for your input I was going to wait for the 6000 mi. service to mention it to my dealer but now it sounds more serious. It actually freaked me out the first time because I was crusing in light traffic and so was everyone else and I was in the left lane on the Long Island Expressway and I had to basically pull over in N all the way to the right emergency lane with whatever velocity I had left. (construction on the left side so I could not pull up there ). I wonder if we have discover a can of worms or if any F car F1 owners have ever experience the same thing ?
Please keep me posted.
Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member
Username: Ebrigham

Post Number: 10
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 4:23 pm:   

JM, it's funny you mention it. I had the exact same problem you did w/ my 2002 cambiocorsa (only one instance). I was driving only moderately aggressive at the time (all 4 wheels were on the ground), so I don't think it was a shock-induced error. It resolved itself after a somewhat nervous pull-over on the highway.

When I told the dealer the next Monday, he didn't ask any questions and immediately flatbedded my car to their shop. Though my dealer has exbitibited nothing but textbook efficiency/courtesy in the past (and so I shouldn't be suspicious of good service), I got the feeling they already knew the problem before I described it. Seems like one of the improvements to the 2003s is that the ECU is better able to coordinate the cambiocorsa, and I think a few upgraded clutch pieces as well - I was given both updates. Basically, I don't think the glitchiness has risen to the recall level, but Maserati seems more than happy to "upgrade" cars if they have an issue. Obviously, if Maserati is to have any hope in the US market, they need to be hyper sensitive/responsive to these kind of issues, and it looks like they are indeed following this path.

Though it was ready in a couple of days, I haven't been able to drive my car for a couple of weeks. They say the problem should be cleared up and that the shifting will be much smoother. If you haven't taken your car in yet, I would recommend it. If you're interested, I will post an update once I drive my car again next week.
JM Zarka (Crazy_horse)
New member
Username: Crazy_horse

Post Number: 44
Registered: 2-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 2:53 pm:   

Now, I had two instances where while on the highway the car switch to Neutral after the red transmission failure warning light went on. I had to pull over turn off the engine and start over again . The light went off and the car run like nothing ever happened.
BTW I am talking about my 2002 Maserati coupe Cambiocorsa driving hard both time but one time I think I went flying over a bump and I must have had at least 3 wheels up in the air ?
Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member
Username: Ebrigham

Post Number: 9
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 1:33 pm:   

Jim, Red; thanks for the advice!
Red (Redhead)
Junior Member
Username: Redhead

Post Number: 229
Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 1:27 pm:   

BTW---
The sensor that tells the TCU (Trans control Unit)where the clutch is located at at any given moment is #47 and #44 is the bracket supports it(and most often is replaced due to a cracking--dont worry though)..........
James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member
Username: Napolis

Post Number: 1221
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 1:22 pm:   

Thanks Red
Red (Redhead)
Junior Member
Username: Redhead

Post Number: 228
Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 1:19 pm:   

JAMES...You are correct.
The TO bearing is # 12 on the picture.
Clutch and Preasure plate is #1 and # 7 is the ring gear that gets updated to a six bolt ring gear.Upload
James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member
Username: Napolis

Post Number: 1220
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 12:39 pm:   

Yes it is part of the clutch. When the clutch is disengauging the engine from the transmittion the throw out bearing is under load which wears it out. (JRV/others am I correct?)
Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member
Username: Ebrigham

Post Number: 8
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 12:33 pm:   

Thanks Jim, I will heed the advice. Glad this thing is under warranty! Anyway, please pardon my ignorance, but what role does the throw bearing play? Is it part of the clutch?

Regards
James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member
Username: Napolis

Post Number: 1218
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 12:16 pm:   

Eric
You shouldn't sit at a stop in gear as it wears the throw out bearing. At a light shift into N.
Best
Jim
Eric Brigham (Ebrigham)
New member
Username: Ebrigham

Post Number: 7
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 12:12 pm:   

Hi Ken - the following is my experience with the new Maserati, which may differ from the Ferrari system.

The system does not automatically go into neutral. Instead, it will automatically downshift as you slow down (from 5th to 4th to 3rd, etc etc). It will walk itself down from whatever gear you were traveling in and eventually wind up in 1st. The sytem will also give the throttle a blip as it down shifts in order to match the revs (in sport mode). It's a cool feature (you won't get any braking help from the engine though). When you are at a dead stop (let say a red light), the system leaves you in 1st gear. However, you are not in danger of stalling because, the computer has engaged the clutch. You will need to keep your foot on the brake because your car WILL roll if you are stopped on unlevel terrain. When resuming your forward progress, in some cases (i.e. stopped on sharp incline), you may find yourself quickly switching from brake to throttle in order not to roll into the car waiting behind you. I don't know how to drive stick, but the only time I bog down my Maserati is when I go into 2nd gear way too early. I have never stalled it. first. Other than that, the system seems to know where to be.

I don't think the car will ever automatically put you into Neutral. You basically need to put it there yourself if you want it. Many people go into neutral when nearing a stop because they may not like the way the car auto-downshifts (or to save the tranny). A good rule of thumb is that the system will not put itself in a gear that would damage the engine or tranny (if it's working correctly). Thus, if you go into neutral at 70 mph, then pull the right paddle, it will not put you into 1st gear.

Unfortunately, I have no experience with Ferraris, but I think my experience is still relevant. Hope this helps!
Ken A (Zff)
New member
Username: Zff

Post Number: 48
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 11:27 am:   

Thanks for the answers, guys. A few more....

>>> I absoultly love the F1 transmission on the 355. I don't care much for it on a 360.

Why? What's the difference?


If you leave it in gear and brake to a complete stop, do you kill the engine? Or does it auto-shift to N?

Ernesto (T88power)
Intermediate Member
Username: T88power

Post Number: 1456
Registered: 2-2001
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 10:35 am:   

B) If you are stopped in N, floor it, and and pull the right handle nothing will happen. The brake has to be depressed before a first gear can be engaged from a standstill. However, if you are stopped (and in sport mode) and simply floor it the car will automatically rev to about 6K and dump the clutch for a nice standing start burnout.

C) As has been said, if you try to downshift at too high RPM, the gear will not engage. However, it is possible to stall the car like a normal manual tranny if you upshift to early.

Ernesto
Dave Burch (Merlyn)
Junior Member
Username: Merlyn

Post Number: 60
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 10:18 am:   

What happens in the following scenarios?

A) You're doing 40mph in 4th and pull both paddles. Do you go into neutral? If so, how do you go from neutral back to 4th?

Pull the right paddle. If it engages 3rd, then pull it again,if it engages 5th, pull the left paddle.

B) You're in neutral, floor it, hold it there and pull the right paddle?

Never done that, sounds risky,

C) You're at 8000RPM in 5th and accidentally pull the left paddle.

Nothing.

Further on, you can't engage reverse without coming to a full stop, but you can engage reverse without going to neutral first.

I absoultly love the F1 transmission on the 355. I don't care much for it on a 360. I haven't driven a 575 with it yet, but have one on order. The jury's out on that option.
James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member
Username: Napolis

Post Number: 1215
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 8:17 am:   

Jason
Yes pulling both into N is the perferred way to come up to a stop sign. It will save your clutch.
Ken
The computer will not let you over rev. If you're in N at speed and hit right paddle it will select a safe gear.
If you keep your foot on the brake with your left foot you can launch like that if want to.
Ken A (Zff)
New member
Username: Zff

Post Number: 47
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 5:57 am:   

What happens in the following scenarios?

A) You're doing 40mph in 4th and pull both paddles. Do you go into neutral? If so, how do you go from neutral back to 4th?

B) You're in neutral, floor it, hold it there and pull the right paddle?

C) You're at 8000RPM in 5th and accidentally pull the left paddle.

Thanks!
MFZ (Kiyoharu)
Junior Member
Username: Kiyoharu

Post Number: 245
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 5:32 am:   

Didn't the 575M with the F1 shifter had this 'launch control' feature? And was taken off the US-spec cars?
Jason (Arnaget)
New member
Username: Arnaget

Post Number: 38
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 12:01 am:   

is it possible to shift into neutral while the car is still moving (i.e.-slowing down towards a stoplight), or does it have to be stopped first?.. I love the sound of the exhaust when the engine is revved; if I had one, i'd do this everytime just to hear the sound rip.
Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member
Username: Artherd

Post Number: 303
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:52 pm:   

and don't forget to wind the revs way out, up to redline each time! The higher you rev it, the more agressive the car will shift, above 8 grand and you'd better bring a neck brace, oh yeah!

The F1 system will also let you do drop-clutch type launches, though in an F355 I don't know which is faster.

I do know that if you drop it a 4 grand and spin the rears way up, you can grab second when it hits redline and keep them spinning untill the car hits 70mph or so....

Best!
Ben.
James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member
Username: Napolis

Post Number: 1212
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 8:58 pm:   

Red
Right on except for one minor point. On your Enzo you will notice the R "T handle" is missing. You select R using a button on the steering wheel.
Best
Jim
Red (Redhead)
Junior Member
Username: Redhead

Post Number: 227
Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 5:20 pm:   

DES--
A) Find the victim car
B) Insert Key, after hitting the alarm button
C) Press on brake firmly
D) Pull both paddles back towards you to select N
E) Turn key to start
F) Back out of the garage your stealing the car from by lifting up on the lil "T" handle on the center console to select R
G) Apply a little bit of gas,and you will feel the clutch engage/jerk.
H) Once your out on the street, while the car is still in R, you can then Pull on the RIGHT side paddle,and this will select 1st gear, while your foot is on the brake only.
I) Once you have selected first, push the Go pedal to the floor and hang the on. The car will take off like normal, and then once you get to the redline, pull the RIGHT paddle again.
J)When you notice the red and blue lights behind you, this is when, at the correct speed you start down shifting. You can do this by pulling in the LEFT paddle, and the car will select the next lowest gear, and if in a 360/575/Enzo, will blip the throttle for you.
K)When approaching the side of the road where the cop will place you under arrest, you might want to pull both paddles in again, this time to select N again.

Hope this helps...and I am sure there are some good lawyers on here.

Cheers!!!
Aaron Williams (Aawil)
Junior Member
Username: Aawil

Post Number: 166
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 5:16 pm:   

Upshift right paddle, downshift left paddle, pull both back at same time for neutral. Not that I've driven one though. I'm use to the shifting in F12002. Anybody want to let me test drive there's? Hehe.
DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member
Username: Sickspeed

Post Number: 3849
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 5:09 pm:   

i know we've had them before, and i've read through several, but i was wondering if we could get a real detailed, layman's terms thread on paddle shift cars/transmissions...

Several times in the last few months, my somnolence has brought to me, dreams of driving an F1-transmissioned car - i'm pretty sure it's an Enzo...! The thing is, in the dream, i have absolutely no problem driving it and i don't think that will be the case if i ever have the same opportunity in real life...

Basically, what i'm looking for is how you operate the vehicle with these things; upshifting, downshifting, neutral, reverse, traffic, etc, etc, etc... There's no clutch, right...? i know there's the little lever on the center console to put the car into reverse, but which paddle do you use and yadda yadda yadda... Any and all information on this would be greatly appreciated... Thank you... :-)

Add Your Message Here
Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration