458 transmission question

no

 

The dual clutch transmissions in these modern Ferraris are rather bulletproof. Forget all of the old crap rumors about how delicate the clutch is ... these really were designed to last. Drive it like it were a rental Chevy ... except let her warm up before you get on her hard.

Rick

 

+1

 

Nope. And, unlike the McLaren, it does not "creep forward" in 1st at a stop light if you are off the brake.

It does not act like a regular automatic transmission you're used to. It acts like a manual that does not engage until you hit the gas.

 

dont forget to pull the handbrake too

 

When you are in RACE mode if you put on the VDA screen (push the VDA button) and an xray like pic of the 458 will appear. When cold, the tires, engine, transmission and brakes are blue. as they heat up they will turn green which means "ready to race." I wait for everything to turn green before I punch it. Note my tires never get warm enough in cold weather. Beware.

 

what they said

 

Do not worry. If you’re stopped for more than 90s with 1 gear engaged, DCT jumps to neutral automatically. We can’t damage DCT just by ourselves.

 

Hate that stupid handbrake.

 

When I bought my 458 the dealer told me that was not required on this newer car. He than said if you are on a slight incline and you are working the clutch the car will automatically jump to neutral. That is an interesting factoid I thought.

So I have decided in a over abundance of caution to switch it in neutral for most stops. Easy to do and it gives me piece of mind. I did that with my 430 and never had a problem. My 360 was a manual transmission. I still wish I had it.

I do that for my Lambos also. Did in in the Galardo and now the Aventador.

Go luck with your car

Best

Lee

 

Can I engage first gear without hitting the brake first ?

 

Only if the car is already in slight motion. If completely stopped you have to hit the brake first.