F1 Clutch preservation driving thread | FerrariChat

F1 Clutch preservation driving thread

Discussion in '360/430' started by hazarri, Jun 14, 2025.

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  1. hazarri

    hazarri Karting

    Jan 19, 2025
    73
    Full Name:
    HBA
    Are the following points correct?

    1. Limit driving in auto mode
    2. Shift into neutral when in a higher gear and coming to a stop rather than sequentially downshifting to gear 1
    3. Don’t sit in first


    Feel free to add / edit the tips for accuracy’s sake.
     
  2. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    6,897
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    Limit reverse
    #3 doesn't help or make it worse ..no affect ..neutral and first act very similar when stopped especially in a Good functioning / set up car

    If the pis is setting too tight neutral would of course be better
     
    marc996 likes this.
  3. BAturb

    BAturb Formula Junior

    Nov 14, 2007
    548
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Allan
    Read the manual, it explains how it was designed to be driven
     
  4. EWR

    EWR Rookie

    Oct 18, 2020
    35
    Lowcountry SC
    Full Name:
    William
    Get a CS TCU flash. Drive it with a smile. Forget about the clutch wear, it’s the price of that smile on your face.
     
    dave360, blackbolt22, jtn0514 and 2 others like this.
  5. rizzo308

    rizzo308 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 12, 2004
    2,780
    Perth, Australia
    Full Name:
    riggio
    :D
     
  6. hazarri

    hazarri Karting

    Jan 19, 2025
    73
    Full Name:
    HBA
    I have a Scuderia. I get a slight slip in first with the 430 while it’s cold, it gets better once warm… can I stab the throttle sharper from a stop in first to eliminate the slipping/shudder? Checked clutch wear during PPI and it was only 26% worn.

    My 458 is very chill in comparison and being a DCT it’s a different animal.

    Don’t have the manual for my car unfortunately as it’s being held ransom by an auto broker. I may eventually wear him down and be able to purchase it for a reasonable cost.
     
  7. hazarri

    hazarri Karting

    Jan 19, 2025
    73
    Full Name:
    HBA
    When taking off in first, if I go VERY slow and gradual with throttle I can get the car rolling without shuddering. If I try to go with a light yet normal pace, the car jerks and shudders until it’s rolling.

    I am having to go so slow that I’m holding up traffic… do I need a clutch adjustment?
     
  8. Phelips

    Phelips Karting

    May 30, 2025
    61
    Full Name:
    Russel Phelips Brown
    Here’s a concise take:

    -Auto mode: Limit use to avoid over-reliance; manual control is better for skill development.
    - Downshifting: Shifting straight to neutral from higher gears when stopping is fine no need to sequentially downshift.
    - First gear: Avoid sitting in it; use only for moving off or very slow speeds to prevent clutch wear.

    Bonus tip: Rev-matching helps smooth downshifts if you choose to downshift manually. Keep it simple.
     
  9. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 13, 2022
    3,205
    East Bay, California
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Maybe I haven't spent enough time reading about these, but I gathered that avoiding auto and not slow rolling constantly in traffic or reversing a lot were the only things that might help.

    I fail to see how not downshifting (especially when it's one of the most entertaining parts of the ride) will help in any significant amount. Same with sitting in first. That has been covered extensively that it causes no wear and you don't need to shift to neutral when you stop. Resting position of the clutch is engaged so it doesn't matter if you're in gear or not.

    Aside from not sitting in stop and go traffic, I would say there is no silver bullet and don't obsess over clutch life. This is the equivalent of the jeep group asking how to improve gas mileage.
     
  10. blackbolt22

    blackbolt22 F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 25, 2007
    5,808
    Boca Raton, FL
    Full Name:
    Mr. Anderson
    I agree with the consensus. I recommend you drive your car when and how you like. Don't worry about wear and tear or mileage. My 07 430 has almost 28k miles. I bought it in December 09 with 2012 miles.
     

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