How to properly drive F1 transmission

Be sure to introduce yourself in the f430 forum, super helpful threads and info there.

Cheers and congrats again!

 

I dont have a picture because it is hidden.

So it is all installed within the dash and the engine compartment. My 612 came with it so I cannot say exactly where all the pieces are. There is a detector/jammer inside the front nose and the corresponding piece on the rear license plate bracket. There are blue warning lights (in case the music is too loud) and alarms installed inside the air vents by the driver. So when you come across radar the blue lights flash and an alarm goes off. It is all controlled by a remote key fob with an on off switch that I keep in the glove box. Works perfectly for the last 4 years that I had it and I drive with it on at all times.

 

By the way, to embellish on the radar detector a little. 99% of the time when you drive you wont come across radar, but the “thought” of the possibility of radar inhibits how you drive and how much you enjoy your car. Most of the time while I have owned my 612 I also owned a Mercedes S coupe which had paddle shifters and a twin turbo V8. It was pretty fast in its own right but it did not have a radar detector. When driving the S coupe I was always speed conscious and never enjoyed just letting it go like I did with my 612. That actually ultimately affected my thoughts about the enjoyability of the car. It is subtle but it is definitely a factor.

 

I just noticed the word girl in your name, now I see why so many people have offered help and not asked many questions. Did you buy this from a Ferrari dealer, and if so what did they set the PIS at, and what is the current state of clutch wear. Did you get a warranty? I have owned 2 430 Coupes (F1 and gearshift), and there can be issues if the car was not taken care of properly (it is a car so even if it was things happen) Also be wary of using reverse to back up steep inclines, or trying to hold yourself in place in gear using minimal input on the gas pedal. I would agree you should introduce yourself in the 360/430 (I am not always welcome there since even though I have had 3 360's & 2 430's I think the 4C is a much better car for the money), you are bound to learn things you were not aware of over there. Since you have not shared much about the car or your knowledge, and history with cars and driving, I cannot assume you know anything.

 

Morrie, I think we all welcomed and assisted FerrariGirl22 as a new member, not as a “girl”. Obviously that is her moniker but I dont think it changed anything, at least from my point of view. She asked some interesting questions and responded in a very friendly and up beat manner. That is why I entered into the dialogue. When I joined I recall I asked similar questions about my first Ferrari and received incredible help from everyone. So I certainly would not want FerrariGirl22 to be “put off” by any of us and I do hope that she continues to ask questions, including some in the future which may be perceived as “dumb” (for example, another member on the 612 site I am on asked why all 612 F1s had a clutch pedal—what he was looking at was a picture of the foot plate on the floor of the car). You have to be able to ask the dumb questions to enjoy the car—I certainly know I asked my share!

 

I do get it, I have been told many times if there was a nice car on one side of the street and a beautiful woman on the other, I'd be looking at the car. I study reactions (it is how I learn about normal behavior), and I don't think any question is dumb (I don't think I've ever used that term), but I noticed that no one asked much about the car. Since OP is a first time owner I think it is important to establish what she just bought. As you all should know when something happens to these cars it can get expensive fast. So if I were that first time buyer I'd probably want someone to ask about what I bought, and whether a PPI was done, or if it has a warranty. I have seen how dismissive car dealers can be with woman (especially if they are attractive), and have seen how that same dealers behavior changes when they are dealing with me. I was not trying to insult her, only to find out what she bought. OP, I hope I did not offend you or scare you off, it was not my intent.

 

Long story short. The thing to keep in mind the F1 was an experiment. By the time, Ferrari put it in the road cars, F1 racing had already moved onto the dual clutch transmission. The DCT is where it's at. The F1 is fun, but it has its limitations.

 

Yup, ask away. No dumb ones yet but we all do eventually ask them.

By the way, in terms of the clutch wear they say if you drive the F1 manually it reduces the clutch wear. I virtually always drive it manually. But that is because it is more fun. Nice side benefit of reducing clutch wear.

The point is these things are meant to be driven. If you start to worry about clutches, too much mileage and the resulting depreciation and every other thing, it detracts from the experience. Someone else said drive it like you stole it! Good rule to live by.

 

FWIW , I shift ....... when I feel like it. Enjoy your new sweet looking rig FGirl . Safe travels and all the best, Kirk.

 

Reviving an old post as a new owner of a 2005 f430, what about downshifting?
Let off gas all the way? Partially? Can you do rapid double pulls or do one and wait until it shifts then do another?
If cruising say at 50 in 6th and you want maximum acceleration how would you do it?

I've had a few instances taking off from light normally driving and the 1-2 shift would up going 1 to neutral. What could cause that?

 

When you get to 9,000 rpms upshift. NO NOT LIFT.

 

Why the hell will you downshift during acceleration?

 

Passing a big truck on the highway.

Plant your right foot, downshift one gear and you will launch into the future!!

 

Yes, probably you're right. In that case the answer is - no, you don't need to lift your foot from the gas pedal.

 

The upshift issue sounds like an F1 fluid system thing. You need to flush and bleed the F1 fluid every few years. The manual and service recommendations don’t say you need to, but you need to.

For how to manage down shifting, normal city driving, it depends. Sometimes I let off the throttle completely and go straight to neutral if I’m heading for a stop light. If I’m just slowing down for traffic ahead, I’ll ease off a bit and downshift once with the throttle still engaged. You’ll get a feel for it. Just try it a few different ways and you’ll figure out what works for you.

And once you get comfortable in the car, do this. Stand on the brake pedal while rapid fire downshifting. 130 down to 40 after the 3 cone. Just be sure to do a cool down every 2 or 3 laps. The street brakes just aren’t up to it like the challenge brakes are. (The guys at the turn 7 flag station told me it was a great save.)

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Yes. Rev to 9,000 rpms. Upshift. DO NOT LIFT.

 

So say you’re cruising along in 6th at about 60, can you floor it then downshift twice in rapid succession or is that too hard on the transmission?

 

Arrived a bit late to the party, but many congrats on your F430! Enjoy in good health!

How are you finding the F1 transmission so far? Are you fully familiarized with it? Any issues?

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

In the 612 manual it tells you to do exactly that.