F1 transmissions for dummies.....

I had a GTR and never drove it in auto for that reason. It was the same with my 430's and porsche turbos. Yesterday I forgot to turn off auto mode in my 458 and the car was in 6th gear at 30 miles an hour in sport mode.

 

This parking mode feature is only present on early (2002, maybe 2003) Maseratis. It is not there on later Maseratis and was never there on Ferraris.

 

Thanks for the clarification, Jon.

My understanding was that the automated manual transmissions were identical in both the Maseratis and Ferraris through the mid-2000s. Everything I have read to this point has lead me to that conclusion. But I'll take your word for it.

Odd that the engineers at Ferrari-Maserati would include such a practical feature on a car costing $110,000, but leave it absent on one costing $180,000.

But, then again, if common sense was actually common...

 

There is a hill start mode for the 575M, too. Found in about half the 2002 owners manuals, and all the 2003 and 2005 manuals.

Incidentally, I know what the owners manual says about lifting on shifting, and I feather the throttle on most upshifts in normal (Sport in some cars), especially in low gears or when everything is cold. It makes for smoother shifts and is easier on the drivetrain. If you are in Sport (360, 575) or Race, depending on model, the car is fully warmed and you are in a hurry, there is absolutely no need to lift on upshifts. For most downshifts, I am on the brake and the throttle is closed, so the owners manual advice is superfluous. The owners manuals cannot cover all aspects of driving an F1 car.

Taz
Terry Phillips
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I figured as much.

And that makes more sense.

Thanks, Terry.

 

This is interesting.

My salesman told me not to lift on upshifts (355).

How many miles for a new clutch? I am over 18k and dealer says I will need a new clutch at my next oil change...about 21k.

 

Phil- The 355, alone among F1 cars, does not have a digital throttle. IIRC, it uses the throttle linkage , much like early cruise controls, to try and synchronize revs, and does not have enough authority to do so. For downshifts, at least, it is necessary to manually match revs, either with your left foot if so inclined, or by heel and toeing, for a really smooth downshift. I would imagine the same would be true for upshifts, but probably not to the same extent. You might try feathering the throttle slightly and see if it smooths the upshifts. The 355 loses revs so quickly, it probably would not take much and it may be that during the 250+ ms it takes to shift, the revs drop far enough with just the linkage.

Crud, you tell me. I have never driven one of the bloody things, just my F1 575M, but would sure like to one day.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Do F1 owners not left-foot brake all the time?

 

Vig- No, we surely do not. Never have been fond of left foot braking except under unusual circumstances. I hate following a car with a left foot braker with the brake lights on and off like the emergency flasher is activated. Wastes gas, too, as if that was much of a consideration for Ferrari drivers.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Umm I'm not sure you are right about who is the idiot in this situation.

 

"Ummm"

The idiot has been revealed.

 

You still don't realize its yourself do you?

 

OK guys, play nicely now. There are no idiots here, just people who have heard conflicting information from different sources.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

LOL. I think I get about 12 per gallon, maybe.

 

No, go back and read his posts on this, he doesn't know how to read, the salesman said to do exactly what he said to do, yet he called the salesman an idiot.

 

I stand corrected. Is there anything you don't know Taz ?? Great to have your knowledge on Fchat!

Best
Jon