458 When to hit the start button

I suppose this is kind of a newbie question, but with my previous longterm 2013 Cali 30 and 2015 Cali T you would insert the key, turn it and wait for three quick beeps to signify that all the ECUs have checked in and that you are ready to start. That time could vary, it could happen almost right away or take 20 seconds or so. I learned pretty quickly that if you did not wait for the three beeps you were apt to get the cascading AVH manettino etc. failure errors which would disappear if you just shut the car off and restarted it after waiting for the three beeps.

My 2013 458 Spider does not give me those beeps or the ready message ... so not sure if that's just not working on my car, if there is some other sign on a 458 that you are good to go or if you just need to wait for 15 seconds or whatever before you hit the start button.

Owners manual (for all three cars, incidentally) says wait till the gearbox N or P comes on and you are ready but in my car it shows up about 2 seconds after you twist the key.

• "Once the system check has been completed, the gearbox display is activated and the letter “P” (Parking) or “N” (Neutral) will be displayed.
• Turn the ignition key to position II and wait for the gearbox display to come on.
• Press the ENGINE START button and release it as soon as the engine starts."
  

 

My Cali T would beep three times after the various idiot lights went off and I think a little "check OK" message would pop up on the left TFT screen.

I did get the errors the other day but fairly certain it was because I turned the key and changed the manettino as I hit the start button (I try to leave it out of RACE on cold start to have mercy on the neighbors).

 

Not on the California T I just sold after 6 years and 23k miles, or Cali 30 I had for 3 years. It will actually mute the seatbelt beeping, do the three ready beeps at a slightly lower volume, flash the check ok, and then resume beeping if the belt is unbuckled. Hence the question on the 458.

 

Not to belabor the point, but thinking back to my F430 years ago, there was a green light on the dash that would illuminate after a few seconds once the various ECUs had checked in. I think that applies to older Ferraris (360, 599, etc.) as well, so not sure why they would give an audible/visual cue on the Californias but not on the 458, but, apparently, there you go.

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