488 Periodic Winter Starting

Fuel won't be a problem since there won't be much diurnal cycling during winter; hence, additives aren't necessary. Keep the battery tender plugged in and roll the car a few feet forward and backward every few weeks to eliminate any potential for minor tire flat-spotting. Don't start the engine unless you allow it to come up to full operating temperature. Others will have more intricate suggestions. I've never had a problem following the above recommendations.

 

simple - dont start it unless you are going to drive it.

 

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I thank God I now live in FL, but when I lived in the Great Northeast, this is exactly what I did. Start the car, let it warm up, moving it a bit won’t hurt.

The inevitable flat spots that develop aren’t permanent. When it warms up, simply driving it will take care of this issue.

 

I agree.

 

Great advice. I'd add, just over inflate the tires (don't exceed the max PSI on the tire sidewall- I usually go to 90% of max). And if you are forgetful, put a sticky on the steering wheel "remember to lower tire pressures!". Keep it on the battery tender, I recommend changing the stock one to CTek 7002- it is just better in every way. Go on eBay and type in CTek 7002 and Ferrari and you can get one with the correct connector. There is the debate to fuel- how much do you leave in the tank. The common advice is completely filled up, because apparently this won't allow much moisture to accumulate in the fuel tank. This makes sense, except if you have a bit of a drive from the fueling station to your home, then won't your fuel tank not be completely full? And, since gas in the US begins deteriorating in as little as 3 weeks (so I am told), I wonder should I leave a full tank of this stuff in the car for possibly 3 months? How good is it for the engine to run this degraded fuel through? I really don't know the answers. I've been given conflicting advice by people who should know. So for cars that are real garage queens/ collector type cars, I get VP storage fuel. It has no ethanol and it can remain stable for a long time (2 years I think?). Its expensive but these are cars that actually do sit. For a car that will sit for 8 weeks or so, I just park it and not too worried about fuel level- I've decided its not worth driving myself into knots trying to figure it out.

I do like that simple rule- don't run unless you're going to drive it. Especially if the time frame between drives is 2-3 months.

Also if the car is on a lift or on much of a grade, I would put wheel chocks on one of the back tires. I've never had a problem, but I worry the computer on board might one day have a hiccup and decide its time to release the electronic parking brake... Older cars its much more straight forward.

 

Starting the engine from time to time is better - after some months, you get a terrible white smoke when starting... Even though it vanishes after a while, it's really disturbing. Although Ferrari people know this issue and are not specially concerned (I was told it could happen to both 458 and 488).

 

This is not true. There is no way to measure this is better. My ff gives off white smoke every-time i start it. No issues

If ur not gonna drive it dont star it. Vp fuel for 6 months or more. Stabilizer for a few months if just thru winter

Dont over complicate it. Brains cella better spent elsewhere



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The smoke experienced after 6 months (I'm guilty for that, but was living abroad at the time) was enough to trigger the alarm in the parking lot and have the fire brigade coming. Nothing to do with some initial white smoke at start up. Besides, it's apparently only for 458 and 458, not for any previous cars nor V12. And I can tell as a fact that it's true, from first hand experience.

 

In addition to above, I add the Flatstoppers under each wheel and stabilizer for the fresh hi-test gas. My usual is injector cleaner/lube as well so it goes in there too on the full tank. Detail inside and outside and use a cover. Good for 3 months. I will burn through the tank to/from the annual due in early Spring. Never start it unless you need to drive it and the weather/roads in good shape.