Driving a Testarossa in Cold Weather? | FerrariChat
Buy

Driving a Testarossa in Cold Weather?

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by Threeofnine, Sep 11, 2024.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2020
    393
    Birmingham, AL USA
    Full Name:
    Jarrod Heath
    #1 Threeofnine, Sep 11, 2024
    I won’t have to worry about this for another two or three months, however are Testarossas unsuitable to drive regularly in cold weather (below 50F)? The reason I ask is because the oil coolers do not have thermostats, when the temperature is low it seems like my oil never reaches operating temperature. At idle it will rise a bit but as soon as I start moving the needle on the gauge drops to, or below, the first line.

    I remember reading in another thread that one should limit driving when the temperature is around freezing. Is this accurate? If so, how do owners in cool climates, such as Alaska, Northern California, Iceland etc, deal with this?
     
  2. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    6,900
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    #2 flash32, Sep 11, 2024
    Also consider your tires --- most have summer rubber which under 60 ish is dangerous
     
    NYC Fred and Threeofnine like this.
  3. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2020
    393
    Birmingham, AL USA
    Full Name:
    Jarrod Heath
    #3 Threeofnine, Sep 11, 2024
    True, I actually put all seasons on mine.
     
    flash32 likes this.
  4. Ernesta_The_Guevara

    Ernesta_The_Guevara Karting
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Aug 31, 2024
    198
    #4 Ernesta_The_Guevara, Sep 13, 2024
    I'm not expert and even owner, but saw loooots of 512 photos in snow-country sides. Maybe its ruin them, but really, lots of photos
     
    Threeofnine likes this.
  5. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

    Apr 6, 2008
    9,525
    southwest Germany, France ( Alsace ) and Thailand
    Full Name:
    romano schwabel
    #5 turbo-joe, Sep 13, 2024
    please post some here
     
    Threeofnine likes this.
  6. Ernesta_The_Guevara

    Ernesta_The_Guevara Karting
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Aug 31, 2024
    198
    #6 Ernesta_The_Guevara, Sep 13, 2024
    blkdiablo33, LVP488, bpu699 and 3 others like this.
  7. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2020
    393
    Birmingham, AL USA
    Full Name:
    Jarrod Heath
    #7 Threeofnine, Sep 13, 2024
    turbo-joe likes this.
  8. kartboy1234

    kartboy1234 Formula Junior

    Nov 10, 2014
    723
    Palos Verdes, CA
    Full Name:
    Michael L
    #8 kartboy1234, Sep 13, 2024
    You can do what Harry Metcalfe did in one of his videos. Stick the cover of a magazine in the right side radiator opening to cut off some airflow. Just enough to raise the engine temps a bit. Of course if it gets too hot then remove it.
     
    Ernesta_The_Guevara and Threeofnine like this.
  9. sherrillt

    sherrillt Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 1, 2009
    1,119
    Northern Virginia
    #9 sherrillt, Sep 13, 2024
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2024
    Gents - these are just cars with combustion engines. The community likes to put them on a pedestal, but fundamentally there’s nothing different than any other auto on the road, other than a unique cult following, lineage, and attractive shape.

    They are meant to be driven in all weather conditions (Shockingly to many - even rain) in order to be sold internationally. All cars go through crash, environmental (hot and cold), wind tunnel tests, etc.

    So just step back and apply rational common sense.
     
    Dragster, Midnight Oil, tbakowsky and 5 others like this.
  10. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,089
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    #10 Rifledriver, Sep 15, 2024
    No such thing if it has OE wheels.
     
    Threeofnine likes this.
  11. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,089
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    #11 Rifledriver, Sep 15, 2024
    One of many reasons I use 0w40 oil. If it was a big issue we would have known it 30 years ago. There is nothing at this point we do not know about the cars and cold weather driving has shown itself to be a non issue.
     
    Threeofnine likes this.
  12. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    6,900
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    #12 flash32, Sep 15, 2024
    Oh right .. yeah ..I have a 512tr

    Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk
     
    Threeofnine likes this.
  13. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2020
    393
    Birmingham, AL USA
    Full Name:
    Jarrod Heath
    #13 Threeofnine, Sep 15, 2024
    0w40 is suitable in a Testarossa? My owners manual calls for 10w50. However, I’ve heard that Ferrari began recommending 10w40 oil in the later year model TRs, is this accurate? It’s about time for me to do my annual oil change, I may do a 40 weight this time.
     
  14. buddyg

    buddyg F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 20, 2004
    6,296
    Naples, FL
    Full Name:
    Buddy
    #14 buddyg, Sep 15, 2024
    Not a Testarossa but my rear wheel drive 808 hp Dodge Demon. Drove it all Winter probably the only Demon owner in the World to do that!

     
    Threeofnine likes this.
  15. buddyg

    buddyg F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 20, 2004
    6,296
    Naples, FL
    Full Name:
    Buddy
    #15 buddyg, Sep 15, 2024
    Threeofnine likes this.
  16. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    6,900
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    #16 flash32, Sep 15, 2024
    Mobil1 0w 40 euro will be perfect

    Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk
     
    Threeofnine likes this.
  17. UpNorth

    UpNorth Formula 3
    Owner

    Sep 30, 2006
    1,768
    Quebec, Canada
    Full Name:
    Francois
    #17 UpNorth, Nov 5, 2024
    Just saw this thread.
    Could not resist giving my opinion here…
    Been driving my TR in cold canadian weather since 2009.
    As long as there is no salt and snow on the road no problem. Period.
    Good news is you don’t lower windows then don’t have to look at them coming back up slooowly! ;-)
    Cheers!
     
    turbo-joe and Threeofnine like this.
  18. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,089
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    #18 Rifledriver, Nov 5, 2024
    It would overheat. Water temp is not an issue.
     
    Threeofnine likes this.
  19. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky F1 World Champ
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Sep 18, 2002
    19,948
    The Cold North
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #19 tbakowsky, Nov 8, 2024
    Cold doesn't hurt. Salt and slippery conditions will.
     
    Threeofnine and turbo-joe like this.
  20. rob

    rob F1 Rookie

    May 22, 2002
    4,284
    Vt
    #20 rob, Nov 9, 2024
    About 20 years ago I was behind a beautiful TR in Feb. here in Vermont and I’ll never forget watching the salt getting kicked up into the rear of the car engine, cradle etc. I have heard people say that you can just wash it out after but you are not going to get all the salt out.
     
    Threeofnine likes this.
  21. msdesignltd

    msdesignltd Two Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 17, 2003
    20,274
    NYC. / E. Hampton
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #21 msdesignltd, Nov 11, 2024
    Midnight Oil and Threeofnine like this.

Share This Page