LAUNCH CONTROL QUESTION

I have never done it but my ASSUMPTION is yes it would shift for you...

 

On my 2014, I have done launch control in Sport Mode and "I" do the shifts because I am in sport-manual mode. You can definitely feel the difference in accelerating with launch control from a dead stop. With control, it shifts very aggressively with the paddles. Without launch control, it is still fast but I dont feel it lunge as much during shifts.

I will have to try it this weekend in PS while in sport-auto...

 

I thought you had to be in ESC mode for PS. So, I only have tried it shifting manually as well...

John

 

So here is what I found out on my cali...I can't engage PS while in sport-auto. @John...you are correct...you can launch PS with ESC mode as well. Mine will also engage in sport-manual as well.

 

I'm surprised PS launches don't work with AUTO shifting. Theoretically the car should launch the fastest in AUTO mode because the ECUs would determine shift points, but… it's more fun to shift manually.

I'm also not sure if ESC-off mode will provide better performance than SPORT mode in standing starts because ESC-off means you allow for wheel slip, which happens when in standing starts. Presumably, the ECUs in SPORT mode would only intervene when wheel slip is detected. The one thing that ESC-off mode does help with is reduction in throttle response time, because there is no software intervention (no ECU thinking) over throttle application. Theoretically, the best scenario is to have the ECUs prevent wheelspin at launch and then switch to ESC-off mode once the car starts rolling. Should be simple to program into the software.

I imagine COMFORT mode is also not compatible with PS launches. In COMFORT mode, the shocks are set to be most compliant (i.e. they will allow for some squatting under abrupt acceleration) whereas in SPORT mode traction will be enhanced by reducing suspension compliance during launch (not sure what the dampers are set to in ESC-off mode). Throttle response in SPORT/ESC-off modes are also faster than in COMFORT mode. So "Performance Starts" for COMFORT mode wouldn't make the fastest launches.

 

I've seen rumor posts that ESC was required, not the case, Sport or ESC works. Auto does not work.

Actually I just remembered that some time ago I tried leaving the PS off and simply held the brake while pressing the gas to the floor and it seems to me it still did the same thing as with PS. I need to try that again to verify.

Rick

 

On a euro/ Uk car it has to be in sport, manual for launch to work, The car will then shift for you although you can do it manually if you choose

 

That might be the same on my car too...I will try it next time I take it out. I think I was afraid that it wouldnt shift so I shifted before it revved out too far.

@4th_Gear...I think it does work in ESC off and manual as well. But I have not been able to get PS to engage in any "auto" mode. And, I dont think it engaged on in any instance in "comfort" mode. I am sure their is a best configuration to put it in...its fun experimenting. Thanks for the ideas

 

To me it makes for sense to allow the F1 transmission to do the shifting. No one can shift faster or more accurately.

 

So here is what is I found out...I think I tested every possible combo.

With ESC Off and set to manual- Foot on the brake, engage PS, mash the gas, release the brake, my Cali 30 will launch and shift automatically. What i noticed that is tended wind out 2nd gear a little more than 1st. We can chalk that up to it being smarter than a human.

In Sport Mode and set to manual- Foot on brake, engage PS, mash the gas, release the brake, my Cali 30 launched and would NOT shift automatically. I had to do the shifting. It still felt like it had the same urgency as the ESC off mode but I am sure ESC off mode shifted at optimal times.

That was the only 2 combos that I was able to engage PS. In all scenarios the engine was popping and smiles were had all around.

I would be interested to hear if others had different experiences.

 

Great info though I'd say Ferrari's programming is a bit counterintuitive and for me, backwards with respect to how it behaves in sport vs ESC off. I would prefer optimal shifting automatically with sport on, since after the car gets up to speed, I wouldn't want to lose control with ESC off! With ESC off, I would think then you're on your own in all aspects, even with PS launch.

 

As I said, I think I tried that but would have noticed if it was brake-torqueing and if I actually did that then it did not brake-torque. I may try it again to see.

Rick

 

So upon further test runs...here is what I made a few more distinctions. The PS light shows up immediately when you hit the button and you are on level ground with the foot on the brake.

HOWEVER...as you mentioned the beeps. If you wait for the beeps to finish and then hit the accelerator, it DOES switch the gears automatically for you in both sport-manual and ESC-Off- Manual. I guess when you dont wait for the beeps to finish, it doesnt fully engage the PS correctly which is why I had to do manual shifting.

Sorry for the confusion...I guess they call that pilot error.

 

Interesting thread. This is my 3rd summer with the '12 and I've never tried Launch. I distinctly remember salesman telling me not to do it! Said if I did and trashed the tranny FNA would not cover the repair. I thought this odd but let it be as this was/is my only F car experience. Anyone else heard this?

 

I was also told not to use it by the salesperson. But I'd love to try it. Is the consensus that it''s pretty safe if you're on a straight section of road?

 

I've used launch a bunch of times in both of my Cali's and my FF with no problems.

Rick

 

If there is a button for it in the car, I am sure Ferrari expects it to be used.
Does the car behave any different from sport mode if you dont floor the accelerator?

 

I just tried and it shifts for you. Frankly, I didn't find the acceleration to be that fast?

 

What was your procedure exactly?

 

I don’t think I did it right; I will retry and report back. I did read the complete manual last night, and apparently, it should work in Comfort mode too, but that doesn’t make sense. I tried it today, but didn’t wait for the 3 beeps, so not sure if it worked. Stay tuned