Stopped in gear. Does it wear the clutch on F1 cars? | FerrariChat

Stopped in gear. Does it wear the clutch on F1 cars?

Discussion in '360/430' started by JustinSpain, Jul 25, 2015.

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  1. JustinSpain

    JustinSpain Karting

    May 27, 2015
    150
    Manilva, Spain
    Full Name:
    Justin Aldridge
    In order to reduce clutch wear I always put the car in neutral when I stop, even if it's just briefly, for example traffic lights, zebra crossings, etc. I have had other cars with automated manual gearboxes and this has always extended clutch life.

    But I was wondering, does anyone know if when you stop and the car in first gear, foot on the break, does that act like nueatral in a 360? Is the clutch fully disengaged? If that's the case then I don't need to keep putting it into neutral.

    Thanks.
     
  2. sparetireless

    sparetireless Formula 3

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,587
    It wears the clutch
     
  3. JustinSpain

    JustinSpain Karting

    May 27, 2015
    150
    Manilva, Spain
    Full Name:
    Justin Aldridge
    Thanks for confirming that!

     
  4. fahlmanb

    fahlmanb Karting

    May 14, 2014
    69
    Mount Pleasant, MI
    Full Name:
    Brad Fahlman
    There are many posts re this. Ferrari states that it doesn't prematurely wear the clutch by leaving it in first gear with the brake pressed. My clutch has only 20% wear after 15,000 miles, so it must not hurt to keep it in gear with your foot on the brake. The worst thing for your clutch is reverse (esp. reverse uphill!).


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  5. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,665
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    As Brad says there are many posts/threads by folk with more credibility than someone with neither name nor location saying the reverse and able to give a viable explanation - at a guess its something that Tazandjan and/or Rifledriver would have had something to do with posting possibly in the 575 section as well as here

    Try this http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/360-430/444313-neutral-vs-1st-gear-red-light.html
     
  6. sparetireless

    sparetireless Formula 3

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,587
    on perfectly level ground, with all brakes off, add a little fuel, does your car roll at all? If yes, then the clutch will wear slightly when sitting in 1st gear a light.

    If it does NOT roll at ALL, it probably wont, when sitting in 1st.

    I like my clutch clearance set down real low, it speeds the shifts between gears, and it cause some roll in 1st and at idle,

    it will be depend on how your F1 clutch clearance was set, try the test I describe above,

    the car is a lot more fun to drive with it set close as possible, but you have to go to N at lights if you do this method. IMHO
     
  7. JustinSpain

    JustinSpain Karting

    May 27, 2015
    150
    Manilva, Spain
    Full Name:
    Justin Aldridge
    Thanks, I think you're right. I was asking the question as my car appears to have a tiny amount of "creep" when in 1st gear. A Ferrari mechanic checked it and said it was spot on but he did say to always put it in neutral.

    I just wondered what others did.

    I think I will continue with putting the car in neutral when stopped.

     
  8. JustinSpain

    JustinSpain Karting

    May 27, 2015
    150
    Manilva, Spain
    Full Name:
    Justin Aldridge
    Interesting thread that one, thanks for sharing!

     
  9. ferralc

    ferralc Formula 3
    Owner

    Sep 2, 2010
    2,153
    San Diego CA
    Full Name:
    Fernando
    Even the manual states to put the car in neutral for longer waits, in my mind that means the robot press the clutch all the way down when he car is stopped, just like you do in a normal manual car, as long as you drive the car as a normal manual car you are fine, and it is never a good idea to wait in a stop pressing the clutch instead of putting it in neutral.
    I think the only difference between an F1 and a true manual car is that you don't need to release the throttle when shifting at full throttle, all the rest is the same.



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  10. skip737

    skip737 Karting

    Dec 31, 2008
    115
    Lodi, New York
    Full Name:
    WJH
    I think that you are missing the point about putting the car in neutral when stopped. I always put my 16M in neutral when stopped, not because the clutch itself wears (it does not), but because this takes all of the pressure off the clutch release bearing. When the car sits in first, the clutch release bearing is working its little heart out keeping the clutch pressure plate away from the clutch surface. When the transmission is in neutral, the release bearing does nothing. This technique will extend the life of the (relatively inexpensive) release bearing. This bearing costs just as much in labor charges to replace as a full clutch job. I have had many manual cars over the last 50 years, including a 2003 BMW M3 SMG with the same system as my Ferrari, and I have never have had to replace the throwout bearing prematurely. My M3 has 105,000 miles on the original clutch that is still working fine. Put the car in neutral in traffic whenever you can.
     
  11. Skidkid

    Skidkid F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 25, 2005
    9,521
    Campbell, CA
    Full Name:
    John Zornes
    But that isn't how it works. Both cars have a constant contact release bearing. In other words, it is spinning no matter what. It is not like the manual.
     
  12. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 29, 2006
    18,221
    Twin Cities
    Full Name:
    Tim Keseluk
    Old School cars used a piece of carbon as a release bearing. It was important to minimize waiting time at stoplights with your foot on the pedal because they were literally wearing away. The ball bearings used in current-production cars don't usually wear significantly. As mentioned, it is under a preload and spinning any time the engine is turning.
     
  13. netman

    netman Formula 3

    Jun 17, 2008
    1,905
    OC SoCal
    Applying pressure to the consistent pressure to the brake pedal is the same as neutral in these cars.
     
  14. singletrack

    singletrack F1 Veteran

    Mar 16, 2011
    5,805
    Pittsburgh, PA
    No it doesn't.

    OP - I would refer to the linked thread.

    I go to neutral at lights and such...I just drive it the same as a manual.
     

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