F1 transmission tip

Your continuing reference to an E brake is confusing - the 575 has a handbrake which is lever operated - these too can break immobilising the vehicle - it does not have an E brake which is generally used to refer to an electrical or electronically operated brake (as far as I am aware)

I refer you to the other thread to which you recently contributed which contains the opposite advice

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/where-to-read-up-on-f1-paddle-shift.309489/#post-140190416

 

William- I completely disagree with that advice. If you look in the owners manual, it says to select neutral before starting. If that is done, she should start no problem. The OM also says the system should select neutral for you if you forget or intentionally do not put her in neutral before starting. Trouble is, if the battery is low, F1 Ferraris have been known to lurch forward when a start was attempted in 1st gear. As frequently as most Ferraris are started, parking brake shoes sticking to the drum or the linkage sticking is as much a concern as an F1 issue occurring and neutral not being selected. Well maintained F1 systems (F1 fluid changed every 3 years, system bled, leak check done, self-test run, PIS optimized) will likely never cause a problem that requires them to be lifted before towing. Especially since F1's primary response to any problem with F1 or the clutch is to select neutral.

The advice he should have given you was to maintain your F1 system and your battery and avoid surprises. Has worked well for me in the 9+ years I have owned my 575M.

 

While I agree with Terry on most of his post, I'm also in favor of leaving F1 cars in N in a flat garage - that's what I do with mine. Yes, if for whatever reason you have a failure in gear, having the car in N is better.

 

Not sure what happened in this case. 2002 575.
A failure of the clutch position sensor a few months ago somehow shifted the car into gear after it was wenched onto the flatbed in neutral. I had coasted to a stop in neutral. It rolled up the flatbed no problem, then with no power or driver it slipped itself back into gear and would not roll off or back forward. Got back in the car on the flatbed and tried to get it into neutral with no luck. Had to lift the car on the flatbed to install wheel dollies and guide it off. When my tech arrived the following day, he plugged in his laptop and you could hear it shift back into neutral. From there the clutch position sensor was replaced and car is back to normal.
Unexpected things can happen with the F1.
Overall I still enjoy the car and F1 and look forward to every drive. My driver is a Chevy with a stick.
Bill
FL

 

Incidentally, E-Brake in the US also refers to emergency brake, commonly used here instead of hand brake, or alternatively here, parking brake. In the UK when I was there in the 80s, it was quite common for drivers to engage the E/hand brake at every stop light for three pedal cars. Not sure if they still do that or not.

 

I would say common sence would describe the handbrake as a parking brake as it is not mean for braking while underway! Of course you CAN brake for emergency purpouses, but it is most of all a parking brake device..... i use to apply it at very low speeds a couple of times every month or so just to make the surface clean as it is on th inside of the brake discs that the parking brake pads work on. To use it is quite important for the mechanism to be exercized. Though I usually just leave it in first gear when parked unless it it is parked in a hill. I had a buddy with a 355 F1 who had some problems with it and it was parked deep down in an underground parking lot, tight as hell. After those issues, I just wanted a manual car. With a very low battery, the car can also (in an emergency) be roll-started (or what the English term for it might be). Not possible with an auto or F1 style transmission.

 

Immobilizer has nothing to do with being able to select neutral. It only affects starting. Start sequence should be press fob, insert key, turn to on, foot on brake, select neutral with paddles, wait for Check OK, start. Incidentally, will start without foot on brake. On mine, virtually no wait for Check OK. If the immobilizer is not disarmed, she will turn over, but not start, unlike the 550, which will not turn over.

 

Terry, part of the explanation for British drivers using the handbrake probably stemmed from the Driving Test. Drivers are required to come to a complete stop at junctions posted 'Stop' (as opposed to just 'Give Way') and at red signals. Instructors tended to advise the use of the handbrake to demonstrate this to the examiner.

Sadly, few have the interest to progress their driving skills beyond that original test and persist in using the handbrake for the rest of their lives!

On the other hand, I suppose it does stop the numpties sitting with their foot on the brake, blinding the guy behind after dark