I have read on a few web site problems with the F1 gears when it comes to starting off and reversing uphill. Yesterday I tried for the first time reversing up a hill and all that happened was the car kangaroo backwards and there was a strong wiff, like I set fire to my neighbours cat. A bit of research later I discovered that when you engage the reverse gear and the "R" light comes up you still have to blip the down paddle, this put the car in low speed mode and the R starts flashing and beeping (this also applies to starting off in 1st), and then theres no problem. I confess I broke the macho man "I dont need the instruction book" rule and had a flick though the manual (while having my chest hairs groomed) and there is no mention of this additional paddle blip to help with parking etc. The second thing I discovered the hard way, after reversing and stopping make sure you put the car in Neutral before turning the ignition off. I didnt and when I came back to the car and tried to start it, the gear box was stuck in R and would not let me start. I dont know what I did but after about 20 mins of trying it finally fires up. Apart from that so far its been a great drive. If anyone else has any Italian quirks they might want to point them out. Rick
I'm a strong supporter of manuals and your experience just reinforced that more. BTW, do you come out on those Sunday AM drives?
Hey Rick, Thanks for the info. I've been trying to find out sbout all this un document stuff regarding the F1 trans. I recently purchased a Dealer video about how to drive the F1. I'm waiting to get it. If that has more info, I'll let you guys know. Further, couldn't you just put the car in N (press both paddles at the same time) when you turned the car on and before you tried to start the engine? I leave the car in R sometimes as an anti-theft measure. BTW- Where did you find this info? Is it documented? - Eric
How do you get it out of reverse when you come back to the car...? Just pull on both paddles and put it in reverse before you start it...?
So when you park, you can put it in reverse, turn off the car and proceed to the aforementioned when you're ready to go...? Simple as that...?
Yes, but I usually don't do this unless it is in an area that I will not be able to see the car. If I back into a spot, I leave it in R. If I go front in, I leave it in 1. Then when I want to leave put it in N and go.
I tried the double paddle pull but no luck, resorted to IF IN DOUBT GIVE IT A CLOUT, anyway it finally fired up, dealers advice was to leave it for a while and see what happens!!, So brave of you to leave it in R. Rick
What sunday drives and when you say AM, how AM is AM? hope you lot are not like the people in the Kellogs ads, all chirpy in the morning, I am the dog breath, shirt back to front looking for a coffee type. Anyway keep me posted on any road trips. RE manual gearbox: I used to drive a 355 Manual and a 911 Tiptronic, I have get used to this Maser and then compare notes, but pound for pound cant beat the mini cooper (old style) for fun, infact sold the 911, and 355 in the UK and mothballed the mini, for when I return. Rick
