Portofino M Automatic Transmission - Is this normal? | FerrariChat
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Portofino M Automatic Transmission - Is this normal?

Discussion in 'California/Portofino/Roma' started by Saba1, May 12, 2024.

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  1. Saba1

    Saba1 Rookie

    Mar 23, 2024
    3
    Full Name:
    Sambo
    #1 Saba1, May 12, 2024
    Hi fellow Portofino M owners -

    I purchased a Portofino M 2023 with factory miles only recently and have experienced the following when driving. Wanted to ask if this was normal:

    1. In auto / Comfort mode, the car shifts up very quickly, getting to 8th gear for 30-40+ MPH. When I then try to accelerate further, it struggles, and I hear kind of a rattling sound from the transmission until something kicks in and the car starts to go faster (it does not downshift). For me to get rid of the noise and get the torque I need, I have to downshift with the paddles. When I slow down, the car does not smoothly drop down its speed from gears 3, 2, 1 and it feels like it lurches a bit.

    2. When I slow down, it also stays in 8th gear even at 30 mph. If I need to speed up, it then has the same challenge. This has made driving in stop and go traffic very difficult. (I have kept the auto start/stop off).

    I have never experienced this type of automatic in my BMW X7 M60i or my Audi Q7 or Q8 vehicles. I also did not notice this type of behavior when I rented a 2022 Portofino M.

    Am I doing something wrong? I have spoken with my service manager and he has told me this is the normal operation of the vehicle.

    3. Also, when I am driving slow, I hear a whirring noise coming out of the circular vents. Is this normal operation of the vehicle?

    Any advise or thoughts are appreciated.

    Thank you,
     
  2. vjd3

    vjd3 F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 3, 2005
    2,700
    Massachusetts
    Full Name:
    Vic
    #2 vjd3, May 13, 2024
    I have not driven a Portofino M but in the California, the car does not drive well in Auto to begin with, and what you describe is pretty accurate as far as driving it in Comfort mode in Auto. It shifts up very rapidly and hangs out in a high gear. I would, at minimum, put it in Sport mode and it should shift later. Honestly, the car is meant to be driven with the shift paddles as if you were driving a manual transmission, it is very different from a regular automatic transmission you would find in Audis, BMWs, etc.

    The rattle does not sound normal, however. Take the service manager out in the car and let him hear it.
     
  3. MacNugget

    MacNugget Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 12, 2007
    466
    Tejas Hill Country
    #3 MacNugget, May 13, 2024
    The rattling sound is unusual, but the love for 8th gear is absolutely normal when you're driving on the street.

    I like to joke than in our Portofino if you put it in "Race" mode that just means it's a race to get to 8th gear as quickly as possible. Either use the paddles like a dork or learn how aggressive you need to be with your right foot in order to get it to kickdown aggressively.

    Or just drive on a better road. This behavior completely goes away when I'm on a fun road or a track. The car really seems to look for lateral Gs and/or exuberant steering input to decide if it's going to behave like a fast car or not. When I've had the car on track or out on a hill country drive I don't have this problem. But for flat and straight, fuel economy seems to be the transmission's number one motivator.

    Driving flat and straight at 40mph is a guaranteed upshift to 8th gear and lugging the engine at 1000 rpm.

    Also can confirm ours exhibits the same whirring noise which is audible out of the A/C vents.
     
  4. Saba1

    Saba1 Rookie

    Mar 23, 2024
    3
    Full Name:
    Sambo
    #4 Saba1, May 13, 2024
    Thank you for the advice and observations. I went out with the technician this morning for the drive and he confirmed that the 8 speed transmissions try real hard to get to 8th gear quickly and that I need to downshift if I want to access more torque.he said this is a common observation in both the Portofino M and the Roma. He also said the whirring noise is from the fuel pump and that although it is well insulated, there is a slight amount of noise.
     
    MacNugget likes this.
  5. Redneck Slim

    Redneck Slim Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 10, 2011
    1,620
    Palo Alto,CA,USA
    Full Name:
    Walt Kimball
    #5 Redneck Slim, May 13, 2024
    My 2019 has a seven-speed. It works fine in Auto/Comfort which is what I use until the car is fully warmed up. It is in top gear by 30 mph because it is programmed that way to maximize gas mileage on the EPA's test cycle. That rattle doesn't sound right.
     
  6. Cigarzman

    Cigarzman F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 7, 2014
    8,064
    Sarasota , Florida
    #6 Cigarzman, May 13, 2024
    Bro , just drive it in sport and manual with the paddles. So much more fun . I’m not even sure if mine works in auto mode.
     
    masguy40, rob5819 and Carbon Bits like this.

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