Best way to fry your clutch ?

Hello!

Like most of you , I drive a car which is not supposed to go in Reverse... but I have to park, enter or exit my garage making it difficult to avoid

Also, I am lucky to live on a mountain, which is great for the view but I heard potentially bad for my clutch as I drive uphill, unless no gear change while driving up ?

sorry for the rhetorical questions, but what are the real conditions to avoid, and advices to keep it healthy ? thanks

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Reverse up a hill is the issue for the F1 since clutch is set to always slip. Driving forward uphill is a non-issue as the clutch is mated most of the time.

Convert to manual. Problems gone.

You could also install a winch and tow the car into the garage if it's a steep angle. Money solves problems.

 

Ok thanks ! at least my driveway is flat, so no need to winch it lol

 

Reverse up a hill only applies to pre MY08.

 

Can you elaborate on that? Are you saying with the "Sofast 3" gearbox cars, 2008+, don't always slip the clutch in reverse? I thought all of the single clutch F1 systems do and that was a major advantage of the dual wet clutch system in the DSG cars (i.e. California, 458, 488, F8,...)

 

Do bear in mind every transmission actuation system will slip a dry clutch - it's a requirement to set off smoothly. The difference with the CFC301 system is that it has an inclination sensor to take into account gradients, and also it monitors clutch circuit pressure.

It's clutch control accuracy is more akin to a well-driven manual car.

 

I'm trying to imagine a situation where you have to go in reverse up a hill (?) Unless backing up out of a steep parking spot. And to be sure even with a three pedal car you're going to be slipping the clutch pretty good in those same situations.
With that said, I'm always in tune to where I park and try to not use reverse if I can avoid it since as pointed out, the clutch is set to slip in an F1. But I'm in Florida so being in a flat land state I'm usually good.

 

P.S. technically it isn't just reverse where there is an issue - it also applies to going forwards. The difference with going forwards is that often as not you're away and into second gear, past the RPM range where the TCU slips the clutch (under 1500 RPM IIRC).

 

Try and avoid traffic ie repeated stopping, starting and driving at very low speeds where the car will slip the clutch. Try and maintain smooth progress as much as possible. Avoid doing any drag style launches. Other than that (which is good advice for any car anyway, really), just drive it and enjoy it

 

Where are you getting this info. Where is the real world data? Facts. I’ve never heard of this.
To the OP, I’ve owned my F430 for 5 years, 8K miles and have only used 10% of my clutch. Don’t worry about it and enjoy. Mine is an 06. lol.

 

Setting a correct PIS has a huge effect on clutch wear. My clutch wear slowed down after I set the PIS... at this rate I need another 10-12 years to get to 60% .

 

I only have 7% on my 2005 which is 14k miles, maybe a new clutch was installed but I have no tracking records Just want to learn how to Not fry it as it seems to be in good shape- also what is the sweet spot for gear change ? 3000-6000 RPM ?
I also read that downshifting at hight RPM is bad ? it sounds amazing tho

 

also remember the 7% for 14k miles is very dependent on the type of driving. If you are simply going out to Cars and Coffee on a Sunday morning with traffic lights and parking lots as most of your mileage vs highway, there will be a big difference in clutch wear no matter how careful you are to prevent slippage.

 

Technical data is from my own experience and the Ferrari factory literature. The real world data is with the independents who service these cars; it is well known that the MY08 cars are kinder on clutches. It's one of the reasons that the launch control guidance was removed for MY08 (in England we have LC, and the pre MY08 were only permitted three launches before the Ferrari warranty was voided)

 

Is lifting accelerator pedal while changing gears a myth ? I heard both theories ...

 

I lift when I am not in a hurry and changing gears around town... On the track, no way. I also start slowly and allow the clutch to engage in first and then accelerate as needed, no need to slip it fast.

Dropping the PIS from the (as found when bought) 5.1 to 4.15 made a huge difference in engagement in first gear. It seems to engage faster... your mileage might vary, so it is clutch/car dependent. I dropped the PIS until it made a slight tendency to move in 1st gear and standing still; then moved up a 0.1.

 

I think that is a difference between transmission and TCU versions. The later cars you shouldn't lift as it expects you not to lift, the earlier cars you need to lift especially on the 360 for a smoother engagement.

 

In my manual it specifically states to not lift (2008). Haven't tested my top speed in reverse yet to see if I get a nice engagement

 

I live at the top of a hill. The street on the side of the house is the hill part and I regularly park my daily drivers on that street, facing down the hill. That means I have to back up the hill in reverse to park it. The clutch on that mini cooper is going to die soon, I just know it.

I used to go into San Francisco regularly and there are many steep hills in that city. Sometimes you just have to park it on a hill backing up. That one time in a 6 speed GT3... I must have given up 10% of the clutch to the parking spot.

 

That sucks. I guess I'm spoiled living here in Florida. I do remember when visiting San Diego all those hills and mountains. Beautiful to look at but... driving a nice car stick or paddle shift would really have me gritting my teeth
Not to mention here in Florida there are no vehicle inspections so we can modify with impunity

 

I don't see why driving a stick on hills is a problem. If you slip the clutch too much it's just a matter of driver education.

 

Make sure to set off in RACE

 

I just left the dealer (Ferrari Central FL) yesterday and had them do a 3-hour inspection, part of which included a clutch reading. Tech said my clutch was 10% worn. I replaced it at 22k miles and it currently sits at 33k.. Needless to say I was pretty happy! I would echo what was said above mainly avoid stop/go traffic if possible, don’t reverse uphill, etc.


By the way, unfortunately and immediately after I left the dealer, my rear tire blew out on the way home [emoji38]

Back to the dealer she goes!




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Have they been doing your service for a while, have you been happy with them? I spoke to them on the phone about a problem I was having and they seemed helpful, they're just 2 hours away from me and don't want to drive that far if they're not good (if ever needed)

 

I have an '03 360 F1 (latest iteration of the TCU). After 6 years of ownership I have found that when I'm not pedal to the metal I lift off of the accelerator pedal ever so slightly for a much smoother, less slippage, shifting around town (I never take the car out of sport mode I don't know if that has anything to do with it). When shifting at the redline, I keep the pedal nailed.