I am a new comer to F-Chat and let me say that I think you guys and gals are the best. So much hands on information and even technical info. Let me get to the point.. I am a first time Ferrari owner. I am scheduled to take delivery this week. Ive been reading a lot of threads about people who waited too long to buy one and I, too, have been putting it off for years when I finally realized I have to enjoy life a little more. For those of you like me that live in the Northeast and for others in the United States or abroad that suffer cold winters, is there anything I should be aware of with the effects of cold weather on the car? I very rarely see exotics driving around in the winter, even on a crisp, sunny day. I would love any input. The car is garage kept and covered. Any recommendations for winter storage (if i shouldnt be driving in 10 and 20 degree F weather) would be appreciated as well. I would like to thank all the members of F-chat. You were the straw that finally broke this camel's back, but in a positive way. I cant even believe I was considering buying an NSX when my whole life I have dreamed of buying a fine Italian Ferrari and nothing else.
Ferraris as all cars run best in cold weather due to the fact that cold air is more dense. As long as they're is no ice or snow or salt on the roads, it is the best time to drive ...
Just make sure the car is warmed up enough for the fluids to reach proper operating temp . Myself - I would not take the car out in freezing temps . It is true the cars run well when the temps are cool , 40's - 60's .
Make sure washer fluid is topped off. Make sure you have a good snow brush/scrapper. Warm up carefully. Bring cardboard and duct tape to close off radiator inlet if water temp gets too low. (About -20F ambient). Make sure you have good winter tires and high speed chains for the mountian passes. Keep tank at least 1/4 full. Don't fill up until car has been out of heated garage for a bit. If you do add dry gas. As snow gets heavier start off in second gear. Switch off traction control and anti skid if you can. Set F1 to Snow. If you're going racing in the snow (Monte Carlo Rally) remember smooth is the way,locked wheel can't steer. If you park overnight in Utah remember where you parked by tri angulating fixed points (trees) so you can find your Ferrari when you return from the bowls and couloirs as it can snow enough to cover your car completely in a few hours. Don't ignore "No Parking Avalance Zones" When you get back hose off road salt. PS. It's Ciao Bella
Ha.. No Monte Carlo Rally. Just wanted to know if you folks thought it was a good idea to drive it on a nice dry, cold winter day. No snow, no rain, etc..
John, Your car will drive nicely in the winter too, although it will take longer for the oil too heat up to the operating temperature specified for some more spirited driving. The oil coolers are very efficient on these cars. I've driven my 308 in subfreezing weather often. My carburetted GTB starts easily without using the choke. The cabin is small and the heater and fan keep the passenger compartment warm. You'll find the car a bit more responsive in cold weather too. So congratulations and enjoy your car. Drive it in good health and enjoy it during the upcoming winter months Barry
As long as the battery is up to snuff, gas line antifreeze/injection conditioner added, and proper viscosity oil for cold weather, I wouldn't see any problems with at-or-below freezing running. The big problem up here in Mass. is, every time it spits snow, they salt the crap out of the roads around my place. Even when its dry, if the roads have been treated the white salt dust gets everywhere - corrosion looking for a place to call home. So after the first snow, in the garage it will stay 'til spring and the first heavy rain washes all the winter crud off the road. And I second all your good words about the f-chat community!
OK, I admit, I actually drive these cars (they are cars aren't they?) I had a mondial a while back and it was my daily driver (yes I am a masochist - hey I live in NY AND I am a car guy too --very rough) anyway...the car is so damn COLD in the winter...I thought my e-type jag was an ice box (yes actually took the etype on a ski trip to vermont --it had a manual choke!) the car is cold...then the car is way to low...YOU CAN USE THE FERRARI SPOILER TO PLOW YOUR DRIVEWAY! and lastly...the salt and snow will rust your car...there will be very precious little ferrari left of your car after as little as two years...cold fall weather - the best, after first snowfall...stay off the road!
Same here. My car is at its best in the cold. Late fall through early spring is my favorite time for driving my GTB.
10 degrees F or over I drive my car if road conditions allow. Like said above, be sure everything is warm before you redline; remember you won't stick to the road as well too. I'd drive if it was colder but my car has vitually no insulation and my feet get too cold. Driving the car year round is really best for the car. I don't know why anyone wouldn't drive when the roads allow. Ken
The temp was COLD this morning, 40 degrees or so. The 328 loved it during the commute. Fortunately, snow isn't an issue down here, and salting the road is unheard of. During our 1 or 2 days of icestorms we'll get sand on the road, but the 328 doesn't go out on truly icy days -- and neither do I!
So you folks use Antifreeze and Fuel injector additives?? I have never put any of that aftermarket stuff in any car or truck ive ever owned. I do understand that this car is "different" than a mass produced vehicle. What do you people use/recommend? Keep in mind, i am not a fan of these things at all! While im at it, can someone direct me to the thread about coating **EVERY** electrical connection with, I think it was, Stabile or some electrical paste? For Ferrari's produced before the R134a refridgerant for the A/C, can you use a regular conversion kit from the old R12 or does Ferrari make a "special" kit, which im sure will be 250 times the price of the regular conversion kit. Thank you for all your help
Antifreeze, yes. Special gas supplements, no, not on my 328 in Texas. I was under the impression that the gas formulations changed from season to season anyway. I'm assuming you have a 348, but it's not in your profile.
You are located in NJ so you must use antifreeze when the temps dip below freezing! I simply use good quality antifreeze at a 50% mixture as in my other vehicles. Never used any gas additives unless the Ferrari is stored for an extended period. No need for windshield wash etc, I only drive when the roads are clear, after a good rain washes the salt and sand off. Last couple of winters in the Northeast have allowed no drives prior to spring. Low snow winters allow the occasional drive. Better than letting the car sit! I use Stabilant 22 as an electrical component cleaner. Should be included in the tool kit of every Ferrari that leaves the factory!
There's two things you can use. One is Stabilant-22, the other is called Deoxit. They both seem to work about the same (the deoxit people will tell you that it is better than stabilant-22, and it is cheaper). Stabilant you can usually get through NAPA, deoxit from radioshack. Or either via mail order. Dom
Have driven the 308GTS in weather as cold as 0 F. Good antifreeze will be fine Use Mobile 1 synth 0W-30 oil as the temps will not get above 70C for water or oil (think operating temps of fluid and viscosity at given temp). If it is REALLY COLD, get an engine/oil warmer to bring the temps up to 30F or so. MOST engine wear is at start up. Put something to cover the driver's side air intake so the cold air DOES NOT go through it as there is no need to have the air cool the oil at low driving temps. Enjoy the drive and BE CAREFUL FOR BLACK ICE! If you need new rims and good tires, i have a pair of Etoile 16-inch rims with virtually new Blizzak WS50 i guess i should sell. They should fit your car and the Blizzak are considered the best winter snow/ice tire.
With the Stabilant-22, is it best to disconnect every wire connector i can find and coat it and re connect, interior and exterior? How often should this be done (every few years, once?) Anyone have the info on the A/C R12 to R134a conversion? Thanks for all your help!
For the record, i recend my offer for the Etoile rims... This photo JUST in and it is still snowing here on Mountain Top New England. Perhaps it is time i take off the 17-inch Kinesis K27 with Mich Pilot Sport PS2 and mount my 16-inch Etoile rims with Blizzak WS50 tires? Image Unavailable, Please Login
Had my system converted last year by an A/C shop, nothing special. I prepared the car by removing the inner front storage liner etc. They purged the old A/C unit, replaced the oil with compatible R134a oil, changed a couple of O rings, replaced Schrader valves, tested and charged with R134a. No issues and the unit still blow cold a year later. No more difficult or expensive than any other car. Verell and others on FChat have their own gauges and have converted several 308s to R134a with success. Good luck, John.
I agree. My car seems to love the cold weather (very much like its father!) I have taken the car out when it was as low as 20 degrees F, and it ran just great. A few things I do for winter maintenance: I use a piece of plywood covered in cheap carpet for under each tire (prevents flat spotting on concrete floors) I fill the tank to full, and use a gasline anti-freeze. I make sure to have the oil changed prior to the first freeze (in my case it changes to Castrol High Mileage 10W40) I use non-freezing window washer fluid. Fill about 3/4 full. I WILL definately drive the car in the winter months, but only if there is no salt on the roads. A dry day is the only time I go out. I have called in sick to work on a good day just to drive the car around. I do not simply start-up the car every so often - I wait until I can actually drive it around. Always let the car warm up before you drive it. At first, drive it slow and let the oil and other fluids get to the right consistency before reaching any real speeds. I always try to use all 5 gears when I go out, I downshift a lot and skip gears (5th to 3rd, etc..) just to exercise the tranny. (Probably unecessary, but hey!, it makes me happy!) Also, before the winter really sets in, I make a point of detailing the car and making sure it has a good coat of wax/polymer on it. I also get very obcessive about making sure my leather is cleaned and VERY well conditioned. Carpets are always cleaned and everything is as pristine as I can make it BEFORE the really cold weather sets in. Note: Realize too, that many dealers/mechanics are slow in the winter months and if you need any service work done, the winter is the best time to do it and may save you some money as well. I have heard of some owners saving like 10-20% on winter repairs.
