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458 When to hit the start button

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by vjd3, Aug 6, 2025.

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  1. vjd3

    vjd3 F1 Rookie
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    #1 vjd3, Aug 6, 2025
    I suppose this is kind of a newbie question, but with my previous longterm 2013 Cali 30 and 2015 Cali T you would insert the key, turn it and wait for three quick beeps to signify that all the ECUs have checked in and that you are ready to start. That time could vary, it could happen almost right away or take 20 seconds or so. I learned pretty quickly that if you did not wait for the three beeps you were apt to get the cascading AVH manettino etc. failure errors which would disappear if you just shut the car off and restarted it after waiting for the three beeps.

    My 2013 458 Spider does not give me those beeps or the ready message ... so not sure if that's just not working on my car, if there is some other sign on a 458 that you are good to go or if you just need to wait for 15 seconds or whatever before you hit the start button.

    Owners manual (for all three cars, incidentally) says wait till the gearbox N or P comes on and you are ready but in my car it shows up about 2 seconds after you twist the key.

    • "Once the system check has been completed, the gearbox display is activated and the letter “P” (Parking) or “N” (Neutral) will be displayed.
    • Turn the ignition key to position II and wait for the gearbox display to come on.
    • Press the ENGINE START button and release it as soon as the engine starts."
     
  2. Kent Adams

    Kent Adams F1 Rookie
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    #2 Kent Adams, Aug 6, 2025
    Vic, I've never counted seconds, beeps or key position. I just turn the key wait a few seconds and hit the start button and wait for the check engine light to disappear before doing anything. 2010 Italia.

    I always hear beeps after turning the key all the way, but I couldn't tell you how many I hear. I guess I got used to this sequence with the F430 and just did the same thing with the 458.
     
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  3. vjd3

    vjd3 F1 Rookie
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    #3 vjd3, Aug 6, 2025
    My Cali T would beep three times after the various idiot lights went off and I think a little "check OK" message would pop up on the left TFT screen.

    I did get the errors the other day but fairly certain it was because I turned the key and changed the manettino as I hit the start button (I try to leave it out of RACE on cold start to have mercy on the neighbors).
     
  4. 3POINT8

    3POINT8 F1 Veteran
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    #4 3POINT8, Aug 6, 2025
    interesting. i guess it does beep but i never paid attention. I just turn the key wait half a second and start the car.
     
  5. goblue22

    goblue22 Karting

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    #5 goblue22, Aug 6, 2025
    2010 458 Italia

    I turn key, wait for all the beeps to stop after a few seconds, hit start button.
     
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  6. luvair

    luvair Formula 3
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    #6 luvair, Aug 6, 2025
    I turn the key and hit start button. Do not wait for all beeps to stop.
     
  7. mikey64

    mikey64 Formula Junior
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    #7 mikey64, Aug 6, 2025
    I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. The beeps are nothing other than the seatbelt reminder. If you plug in your seatbelt before you turn the key on, there is no beeping or if you plug in your seatbelt while the beeping is going, it stops immediately. I don’t know where anybody ever got the idea that the beeping was the car computers warming up and synchronizing lol
     
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  8. Eric C

    Eric C F1 World Champ
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    #8 Eric C, Aug 6, 2025
    Typical Ferrari owners lol
     
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  9. cwazy1

    cwazy1 Karting

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    #9 cwazy1, Aug 7, 2025
    can confirm what mikey is saying. I fasten seatbelt first, turn the key, wait 2-3 seconds and press the button.
     
  10. vjd3

    vjd3 F1 Rookie
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    #10 vjd3, Aug 7, 2025
    Not on the California T I just sold after 6 years and 23k miles, or Cali 30 I had for 3 years. It will actually mute the seatbelt beeping, do the three ready beeps at a slightly lower volume, flash the check ok, and then resume beeping if the belt is unbuckled. Hence the question on the 458.
     
  11. vjd3

    vjd3 F1 Rookie
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    #11 vjd3, Aug 7, 2025
    Not to belabor the point, but thinking back to my F430 years ago, there was a green light on the dash that would illuminate after a few seconds once the various ECUs had checked in. I think that applies to older Ferraris (360, 599, etc.) as well, so not sure why they would give an audible/visual cue on the Californias but not on the 458, but, apparently, there you go.

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  12. Challenge

    Challenge Formula 3

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    #12 Challenge, Aug 7, 2025
    I looked at the 458 owners manual about this. It states to turn key, wait for gearbox indicator to come on before pressing the red button.

    With that said, I wait for the seatbelt beeps to go off before firing it up.
     
  13. veilstylez

    veilstylez Formula 3
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    #13 veilstylez, Aug 7, 2025
    I do the same...wait for the beeps to stop then press the start button.
     
  14. veilstylez

    veilstylez Formula 3
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    #14 veilstylez, Aug 7, 2025
    Also do you press and hold the start button or you just press it once. I feel like If i just press it once and let go it doesnt work. I think the 488 and new cars is just press it once...not hold
     
  15. versamil

    versamil Formula 3
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    #15 versamil, Aug 7, 2025
    I'm NEVER in a rush to instantly start my car. Sometimes I let it THINK about things for ten or fifteen seconds. The days of getting electrical failure, take your car to the dealer prompts are OVER. I've had some VERY bizarre things happen, when being in a big hurry, and it's just so much easier to RELAX and not worry by rushing things. Gives me time to just admire the car, breath in the wonderful smell of the leather, and think how LUCKY I am to have such a great car.
     
  16. Trev450

    Trev450 Formula Junior

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    #16 Trev450, Aug 7, 2025
    I just press it for about a second and then release it. Seems to work fine.
     
  17. Eric C

    Eric C F1 World Champ
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    #17 Eric C, Aug 8, 2025
    Has anyone converted their start button into a og key start? Thinking about doing that.
     
  18. vjd3

    vjd3 F1 Rookie
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    #18 vjd3, Aug 8, 2025
    No, but I am in the process of installing a choke and hand crank to go old school on it.
     
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  19. pizzadude

    pizzadude Formula 3

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    #19 pizzadude, Aug 8, 2025
    hilarious !
     
  20. BuyHighSellLow

    BuyHighSellLow Formula Junior

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    #20 BuyHighSellLow, Aug 8, 2025
    Don't forget the high beam foot switch on the floor.
     
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