360 Shutdown Question

After taking my 360 out for a drive, I pull back into the garage. Is it best to let the engine idle for a few moments (cool down period?) before shutting off the engine, or just turn the engine off immediately. What do you folks usually do?

Thanks for your input.

Ron

 

Not sure about others, but I shut it down straight away and then open the engine lid to let it cool down quicker.

 

+1

 

I don't have a ferrari, but I have to chime in- I can't fathom the reason why you'd need to idle to cool the car down (or open the lid for that matter). The only cars that had to idle were early turbo cars (911 turbo, saab turbo, etc) to keep oil pressure flowing the oil though the turbos while they slowed down after using boost (cars in the mid-80's like the 944 turbo started having electric pumps that stayed on for a minute or so after the car was turned off, so no need to let those cars idle- I assume all current turbos have this by now).

The only thing I think people should be aware of is to let the oil (not just the water) fully warm up to operating temp before cranking out some full throttle red-line type of acceleration. The best way to warm the oil/motor is careful/easy driving, not idleing for 10 minutes...there shouldn't be any cool off procedure needed, however.

 

How would idling cool the car? There are no fans in the engine bay, it depends on air from movement to disperse heat. Add to that the thought that while the engine is running it is generating heat. When you combine these two thoughts you see the potential for the engine bay to get much hotter, not cooler, if you sit an idle. Yes, radiators can move heat away but they are no where near 100% efficient and they would be hot already so the transfer rates relative to the engine would remain constant and the added heat load in the garage would further reduce their efficiency slowing transfer rates.

Just shut it down.

 

This is a good practice for cars with Turbo engine (not all turbo's some of them has a continues cooling fan after shut down).
Just shut it down.

 

It's obvious, ttherefore, that you would not understand.

a) idle- let the water temp more evenly equalize in the system
b) open lid - preclude electrical and other components from unnecessarily absorbing engine heat

Just common practical thinking here.

 

Moderate driving before shutting down should help cool the engine. I also raise the deck lid when done to allow for heat to escape from the engine bay. Like has been said much easier on rubber parts.

 

For me, the approach into my neighborhood requires slow (1st or 2nd gear) driving. I consider this the "cool down" period and then, depending on how hard I've driven, I'll either pop the lid or not.

 

a) good point. As fc2 said, I don't usually get home full on the throttle so the car has time to equalize while I am in town.

b) excellent point. I definitely do this and I think everyone with a 360 has this one down

 

+1.

 

OK, I don't have a Ferrari and therefore have no access to the owner's manual. Does Ferrari specifically recommend this in the manual? If so I stand corrected. If not, I'll stand by my theory that it's not needed. Why would a 360, which is a modern Ferrari, have any different procedure than other cars- wires that can't absorb engine heat? I'd be surprised...but what do I know- always willing to learn something new (if it's factual)

 

You won't find it in the owner's manual, but that doesn't mean it's not a good practice. Equalizing the water temp is a bit much IMO, and likely of no material benefit. Opening the engine bay does let heat escape more rapidly than otherwise, and it's not that the wires won't take it, it's just simple fact that plastic parts, all parts last longer if they aren't heat cycled/exposed to heat as much/as long.

Eventually, the heat from normal use will take it's toll on the rubber & plastic parts, and other parts for that matter. . . so opening the hatch can help, somewhat, with that inevitable wear & tear.

 

I actually open the decklid and after idling for a minute shut off the engine. If on a run or just a warm day I have an electric fan that I place over the engine to remove the heat from the bay as I feel the amassed temp when stopped is too high for the surrounding components. My 355 never got this hot but the 360 is a heat monster.

 

It is of benefit. Not so crazy.

Many vehicles will have radiator fans run even after the engine is shut down.

Hot spots can develop which can cause issues at a later date.

Do what makes you comfortable.

I do it even on air cooled aircraft.

 

Personally, I had my entire garage converted into a giant refrigerator. I just pull the pupply in there and I am golden!

Of course, I still let the water temperature equalize and open the deck lid.

It's a truly "chilling" experience.




Joking . . . Of course.

 

I don't do anything special when I start it and I don't do anything special when I turn it off. Once you forget about the horse emblem. It's just a car.

 

For god sake just turn the key, close door, lock, walk out from garage, admire for a second and close garage door.

 

When I get my ferrari this is the advise I will follow

 

Driving the vehicle at throttle raises the EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) to around 1400 Degrees F. Letting the engine idle before turning it off lowers EGT to around 300 Degrees F. This cools the valves. I let mine idle for 30 seconds or so before hitting the kill switch.

 

I simply wait 15-30 seconds to let the engine return to approx. 1,000RPM turn off, open lid for 15 min.