599 F1 Operation

Neutral can be selected at any speed in any gear.

Info on the throwout bearing: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/612-599/439006-replacing-clutch.html

 

Ferraris have a constant contact throw-out bearing, so there is always some wear, although probably not as much as when the clutch is open.

When stopped, which is what I think you want to know, the clutch on an F1 Ferrari is always open, even in neutral. So, unlike a three pedal car, selecting neutral when rolling to a stop does not decrease wear on the throw-out bearing. It does avoid automatic downshifts that cycle the clutch, gears and synchros, and throw-out bearing.

One of our pros estimates an F1 throw-out bearing sees about three times more cycles than a three pedal throw-out bearing.

 

When I picked up my 599 the dealer told me to always put it in neutral if im sitting at a standstill in traffic or at busy junctions/lights etc...for more than a few seconds because otherwise I will be wearing the clutch much quicker, being a ferrari novice Ive just always followed this advice, have I been mis informed?

 

I have a tendency to put my 599 in Auto mode and just drive it like it was an automatic. I just turned over 10,000 miles last week and also had my annual service done at Algar,. I always ask those guys to give me a clutch wear reading when I have my annual service. With the 10k miles on it, and driving mostly in Auto, my clutch is only worn 15%. Also, in Auto, my car automatically switches into neutral if it's been sitting too long in Auto without moving. I'm going to guess it takes about 1 to 2 minutes of idling without moving and then it will switch to neutral automatically. It also beeps to inform me that it has switched to neutral. So, I think the car also has some protection built into it to preserve the clutch.

 

Yes, you have been misinformed. It's incredible how little car salesman know about the vehicles they sell. It's not just Ferrari, but probably all car makes.

If I know I am going to come to a full stop, I pull both levers and go straight to neutral. There's no sense in shifting through all the gears. However, there is no difference in sitting in neutral or 1st for a normal duration traffic light.

I think the issue with using auto is if you are coming to a stop, it will shift 5 times to get to 1st gear, versus shifting once to neutral and then once more back into 1st if you do it manually.

 

Mark- Yup, or they did not explain it fully. No difference in wear in 1st or neutral while stopped. Clutch is open in either case. Eventually, if you sit in gear for a long period, measured in minutes, the system will select neutral for you. If you relax pressure on the brake pedal while stopped and in gear, she will select neutral in a very short period of time, measured in seconds. Just like Paul said.

 

My 08 599 shifted fine. 458 is perhaps smoother.

 

Jim- The DCTs do tend to be smoother, and quicker, than the dry plate F1 systems. Completely different designs.

 

Yes...driving the car in auto mode every once in a while is also a good idea.

 

Yes, that is correct.

 

Never heard that. Why?

 

Another reason to keep the car in gear vs. N at a stop- you never know when some idiot will not come to a stop behind you and if you need to move away, putting it in gear is one more thing to take note of.

 

If you do it every time, no problem getting it in gear if someone is coming fast, especially if you have Challenge paddles. The worst technique is to sometimes leave her in 1st and sometimes leave her in neutral. When you do that, you may forget whether you are in 1st or neutral and upshift to second for the start. Rough on the clutch.

Years of driving should have you in the habit of checking the mirror every time you put on the brakes, especially if braking hard. These things stop a lot quicker than your average SUV or mini-van. Whenever I am braking, my left hand is on the downshift lever, just in case.

 

I believe that is correct. And of course, always be alert. When the maniac behind you is closing in, its nice to be able to get on the gas right away. There are just too many nut jobs out there. I can't tell you how many times I've been glad the car was "in gear". Happens all the time- especially in a Ferrari because people want to get close.

 

Why would you want to rev it like that? If in gear, she will try to start moving, if in neutral, just wastes gas unless you are trying to get the attention of the sweet thing in the next car. At which point sweet thing will probably think: "What a dork."

 

Bog start until the clutch bites. Once fully engaged, no problem.

There is a clutch position sensor and angular speed sensors that send signals to the F1 ECU/TCU. Plus the TCU gets signals from the starboard Motronic DME on velocity, rpm, temperatures, etc. Download an F1 workshop manual on the 360 and read through the theory parts. Free at ferraridatabase.com. The Spider manual is the most up to date. Not sure the F430 WSM there has much theory. Looked, most of it is missing, so the 360 WSM is the best bet.

 

Hydraulic pressure on F1 fluid at 800-900 psi drives the annular thow-out bearing through a hose from the F1 actuator, just like hydraulic pressure from brake fluid drives the annular thow-out bearing from the clutch master cylinder. Because of the difference in fluids, the throw-out bearing seals are different on F1 and three pedal throw-out bearings. The throw-out bearings are one of the main differences between F1 and three pedal Ferraris, which use the same clutch and transmission.