Smart Top....

I have one in my Porsche, have had it for years. I rotate my batteries out and keep my cars on trickle chargers and have never had an issue.

 

Had one on my R8. Loved it! With all that has been said about not operating the F430 top unless the engine is running, I would be be hesitant to try it.

Sent from my Galaxy

 

Ferrari made the car and they thought it was important enough to put it in the manual not to operate the top without the engine running, it’s unlikely that they did that for no reason at all. I find it odd that people think they know how to operate the car better than the manufacturer. Maybe it’s not the battery, maybe the sequencing can go wrong and cause premature wear on the top? Lots of people have top issues, maybe some of them are because they run it with the engine off.

 

The 360/430 top takes a LOT of power. Having owned my car for about 13 years I can tell you that is definitely why they say with the engine running. It can even be problematic if you have had the car parked for an extended period without a trickle charger then start the car and cycle the top. The alternator can't keep up with the marginally low battery demand and the top demand so it can stall mid movement. Yes, that is experience.


As Spiro said, I have considered it but I decided against it given the power demands and on occasion I have to pause then try again or even reverse my plan to start over. Nice idea but not sure it is good on these cars.

 

I use my top regularly without the engine running - it's really not a problem. The soft top module is programmed with a fail safe to prevent operation below a threshold voltage, at which point it signals an alarm.

The module is on my winter list because often the first thing I do when I want to use the car is open the top. The other convenience issue is being able to open the front boot/trunk remotely - another winter job.

 

I installed a module on my SLK 55 AMG that allowed me to operate the top remotely using the key. Three taps to lock the car would close the roof, three taps to unlock the car would open it. Never had a problem there.

Having said that, it's mentioned very often here that Ferrari's can be problematic if the battery is not properly charged. Perhaps replacing the battery with a heavy duty one with more charge could help stave off any electrical gremlins from happening?

 

Even if you do not want to operate the top without the engine running, another benefit of the Smart Top is "one touch" open and close. On my R8 it also allowed me to open the windows with the key fob.

You can also operate the top without having to be completely stopped.

 

Looking at their website, it seems the only functionality it provides is one-touch operation and the ability to operate the top while the car is in motion. No remote operation via the key fob.

 

Nah, Ferrari isn't always right in the way things work best/efficiently. There are lots of examples but refer to a current thread about getting heat. , "2004 360 no heat is coming out any advise?". Do a check and see how may smart people write and ask how to get heat, even after reading the manual

 

Fred, in general they didn't read the manual. Heat is pretty obvious once you think climate control but they are thinking heat/cool and trying to work the system. It does work exactly like Ferrari says, people just don't think they need to read the manual for heat.

 

You must think these responses are hilarious then, lol
Just sayin'. But I dig what you are saying.
We both know guys don't read manuals or instructions until it doesn't work​

 

I don't follow.

 

In response to people not knowing how to get heat because they didn't read the manual. Meant to indicate that even if they did it is at best still confusing to smart people (2 quotes above).

 

Gotcha