Stubborn gear change when cold on 550

Is it normal for a manual 550 to have a stubborn transmission when they are cold? Whevever I drive mine, I have to be careful when changing gears. Especially 1st to 2nd is difficult when cold, up to the point where I shift from 1st to 3rd to avoid a "crunchy experience". Things improve as the car warms up though. I spoke to the car's previous owner and he said using Nulon oil definitely helped in his case.

I have had the car for 8 months now, by which time I have more or less grown used to this. Still I would like to know if my car has a problem, and if so, what I can do to cure it.

Thanks,
Rik Gruwez

 

Sounds like your first ferrari. Ferrari's have weird gearboxes and it is typical 1/2 shift is hard when cold. some boxes are smooth when cold but they are a minority and I am not sure why dispite my ability and hsitory of rebuilding ferrari gearboxes as a hobbyist. All Ferrari gearboxes run better or worse with different gear oils. The top 3 oils to smooth out gearboxes in the USA appear to be mobil 1, Redline, and royal purple. Try a gearoil switch and you may be amazed by the results. Synthetics oils are a must.

 

Hi Fatbillybob,
Thanks for your reply. The 550 is my second Ferrari. My first one was a 355 Spider, which I still have. The 355 is a bit smoother in its gearchange when cold, but still one has to be careful. You confirmed my suspicions, i.e. that the hard shift is normal.

Regards,
Rik

 

I've had 4. Two shifted smooth regardless of temp two had to warm up first. While my average is 50% I would guess that 80% are of the hardshifting when cold variety.

 

Rik- As usual, FBB is right. Your 550 Maranello has dual cone synchronizers on all gears, so should shift well even when cold. I just had the transaxle oil in my 575M (which has triple cone synchronizers on 1st and 2nd gear) changed and Valvoline Synthetic 75W/90 was used. No problems with shifting when cold. You probably need to have the oil changed to a modern synthetic, all of which flow much freer when cold than petroleum based gear oils.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but this discussion reminds me of an old Rodney Dangerfield line about why cars are always named after women....because on a cold morning when you really need it, she won't turn over....

ketel

 

Rik,

it depends a little on how stubborn and how cold. Above 15 degrees C, or 60 degree F, my 550 has absolutely no hassles with shifting when cold. Below that, getting her into 2nd gear gets a little more difficult, and I've actually skipped 2nd (which I always do in my BB but never in my 550) when temperatures were below freezing one particular morning.


Onno

 

Onno- What transaxle oil are you using?

ketel- Got to worry about a woman with no sense of humor. Rodney was priceless. Too bad he is gone. He is finally getting some respect, though.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I have the same issue, Rik.

Like its owner, 115172 does not like to get up in the morning. It whizzes, whines and issues all manner of audible complaints until it is up to temperature. I just have to empathize with him and let him know I'm feeling the same way. Once the oil temp comes up, 1st --> 2nd gear changes happen smoothly and everything quiets down.

Good to hear about the gearbox lube options, tho'

 

I have no idea, Terry. I'll talk to my specialist. In any case, it is very rare for my 550 to get driven in cold temperatures.



Onno

 

My 550 crunches when cold...though tit was normal...I guess another thing I'll have to look into...dang!

 

Onno, itiliafan- Just took my 575M out today and temperature was 40 deg F, (4.4 deg C) and no problems with shifting. Synthetic gear oil a good idea or score one for the triple cone synchronizers on the 575M. Mine will be driven in much colder temperatures. Average winter low temperature here is 20 deg F (-7 deg C).

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Well, when I get back in 3 weeks time I'll see what she does on colder days. I try and avoid driving her on salted roads, though.

Thanks for the info in any case - good to know that it should be possible to improve.

However.... I just thought of something: your 575 is an F1, isn't it? The redesign of the tranny might have something to do with this as well.


Onno

 

Recent change to synthetic on my 550. Today (16 degrees F) was, as usual, very difficult to get into 2nd until warmed up. Actually, I almost always skip 2nd as the car has so much torque, you could easily start it in 3rd anyway so a shift from 1st to 3rd is really no hardship.

Talked to a mechanic at the factory a few years ago and he says they never shift into 2nd with a cold box/engine on a 550; that it's "well-known" that one should avoid it.

Just one mechanic's opinion but he had worked at the factory for 17 years and seemed pretty knowledgeable.

So for those lucky few who have smooth boxes when cold, go for it. For the others, don't sweat it, just skip the gear when cold.

 

Ferraris are well known for this gripe, and have had it since the '60ies. However, of all the 18,000 miles I've driven my 550, I've only had a problem with second gear twice, both on very cold mornings. So I do not agree with this mechanic that it is a well-known issue.

Then again, I can even engage 2nd gear on my 1974 Boxer when cold, so maybe I'm just talented.


Onno

 

Thats because the factory insists on using poor quality lubricants and has pushed that idea (1-3 shift) for so many decades even they start to believe it.

 

Ferrari has not used dinosaur oil as a factory fill for a long time. The key is, as opposed the factor, to use a QUALITY product and change it every year.