Does sport mode affect clutch wear? | FerrariChat

Does sport mode affect clutch wear?

Discussion in '360/430' started by mxz, Aug 1, 2013.

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  1. mxz

    mxz Karting

    Nov 29, 2012
    130
    Bay Area, CA
    I always drive in Sport mode and I've heard others almost exclusively drive in Normal mode so I was wondering if being in either mode has a bearing on how fast the clutch wears?
     
  2. Art138

    Art138 Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 22, 2007
    1,534
    Ft. Lauderdale
    There have been a few threads on the issue....apparently yes, and brake pads also. I drive my scud in CT/off all the time. There is no reason why you shouldn't unless you get a rain shower.
     
  3. Skidkid

    Skidkid F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 25, 2005
    9,521
    Campbell, CA
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    John Zornes
    What are you smoking? How does stiffening up the suspension accelerate brake pad wear?

    As for clutch wear it is a long and ongoing debate. There is probably some difference but it would be minimal difference, small percentage. Plus, does it really matter? Let's say you drive 3000 per year and a clutch lasts 30K. That means it lasts 10 years. Do you care if it lasts 10.5 or 11 years?
     
  4. hammaglamma

    hammaglamma Karting

    May 16, 2010
    202
    LA
    Full Name:
    Simon
    Why would you be so rude without knowing all the facts? Chances are you're going to end up looking like a bit of a tool. Oh wait, unless you think you know it all.
     
  5. m2g2

    m2g2 Formula 3
    Owner

    Aug 10, 2012
    1,383
    SoCal
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    Mark
    Interesting question.

    Any Ferrari Techs willing to weigh-in on this issue?
     
  6. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,166
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    The general consensus among the pros is that Sport/Race is slightly easier on the clutch. Brake wear is unaffected by the Sport/Manettino switch, except you tend to go faster, so....

    On the F430, the switch also affects when the exhaust bypass valves open.
     
  7. Skidkid

    Skidkid F1 Veteran
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    Aug 25, 2005
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    John Zornes
    Sorry, no offense intended but yes, let's wait and see. So far, one matching what I said.
     
  8. HH11

    HH11 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 4, 2010
    3,344
    It will only affect brake wear if the traction system is engaged. This is why seasoned drivers choose to disable the 'nannies' when on the track. The system can wear out the brakes faster (without the driver knowing)

    Sport and race mode for normal driving will not wear out the brakes any faster than other settings.
     
  9. Art138

    Art138 Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 22, 2007
    1,534
    Ft. Lauderdale
    Maybe you better take a course at the Fletcher School of Diplomacy to polish your interpersonal skills...any well read Ferrari owner who owns an F430 knows CT-OFF (to some extent) CST-OFF (completely) disables the rear braking stability performance system. Driving in these modes will have less wear on the brake pads....again several threads on the subject.
     
  10. HH11

    HH11 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 4, 2010
    3,344
    Not that I want to be in the middle or anything....but you're both right.

    It will wear the brakes out faster on a track if the system feels the need to engage. On the street however, the system rarely intervenes, and the wear should be identical unless the car is always getting away from you.

    Normal driving- no
    Track driving-yes
     
  11. cm2

    cm2 Formula 3

    Sep 26, 2012
    1,451
    SF Bay
    Full Name:
    Nathan
    my experience has been that brake wear is not significantly impacted by high performance driving on my 360 while in sport mode. It is, however, annoying when the rear gets light out of a corner and it backs down the throttle :) 'Come on you ol' dog, get moving!' Otherwise, it doesn't seem that intrusive.
     
  12. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 13, 2009
    16,527
    Charleston, SC
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    Curt
    On the 360 there are two switches. The ASR and the Sport mode switch. ASR will disengage the antislip function of the braking system for the rear wheels. Meaning, when one rear wheel starts to slip, the car will slide. The sport switch in F1 cars will make a more agressive shift profile, stiffen the shocks and allow for more slip for the rear wheels. In manual cars it stiffens the suspension and allows for more slip in the corners for the rear wheels.

    I'm not sure despite higher speeds that one might experience with this how it will lead to more brake wear. With all speeds equal.. am I not understanding something?

    I thought 430 had the ediff that changes the equation. Not sure if the same with the 360 algorithm.
     
  13. cm2

    cm2 Formula 3

    Sep 26, 2012
    1,451
    SF Bay
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    Nathan
    Sport mode would lead to less braking intervention, and ASR off means none. My point was that even with sport and asr on... Brake wear is a non-issue from that system - at least on mine. Some cars have traction control that overheats the rear brakes and wears the pads very quickly.
     
  14. E60 M5

    E60 M5 Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Jan 2, 2006
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    Robert
    My mechanics are two of the best in the country hands down, Richard and Fernando at Competizione and Sports Cars, from day one they have said Sport mode is better for the clutch.
    I drive I sport mode.
     
  15. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
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    Dec 13, 2009
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    Thanks guys.. what I'd thought as well. I drive mine in sport mode all the time.
     
  16. mikeyr

    mikeyr Formula 3

    Jun 17, 2004
    2,154
    Santa Barbara, CA.
    Full Name:
    Mike Rambour
    I tried sport mode on the 2nd or 3rd day I owned the car, then I forgot it even existed.
    I also tried the Auto mode once, then I forgot it exists and always will no matter how many times you guys remind me.

    Just drive the dammed thing ! Like another poster already said, the difference between sport and non-sport might be a few months so in 10.5 years instead of 11 you will have to change the clutch, just DRIVE IT.

    If like that other poster said, a clutch lasts 30,000 miles then I am doing my clutch every 3 years. Based on the last SD2 readings, next year is 3 years on my belts and I will be due for a clutch. Maybe I should start driving in sport mode and that way i can stall doing the clutch from June all the way to July, maybe even late July. JUST DRIVE !!! quit worrying about the clutch and DRIVE the very best car on the road and the most beautiful car on the road.
     
  17. Camdon53

    Camdon53 Formula Junior

    Jul 18, 2006
    507
    Texas, USA
    Full Name:
    Jim
    As always, Skidkid gives pretty much the best advice you’ll get around here.

    The amount of 360 F1 clutch wear attributable to shifting is microscopic compared to the amount caused by launching. Therefore, no matter how much difference there might be in clutch wear between sport mode and normal mode shifting (it is extremely small), overall clutch life is essentially unaffected. Also as noted by Skidkid and others, brake wear is unaffected except indirectly under the most severe track conditions.

    Driving a 360 F1 constantly in sport mode doesn’t hurt anything on the car. It just doesn’t help anything either, and the ride is noticeably rougher. Either way, it’s a great driving car!
     

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