Tips on driving flappy paddles
Discussion
Next week, i'll be driving a Ferrari F430 with an F1 gearbox. The guy who owns the car is very experienced and will be able to tell me probably all I need to know. But I'd appreciate a heads up as to the do's and don'ts from anybody experienced with using this sort of box. I've only ever driven full auto/manual's before, GT4 excepted.
Mid corner gearchanges I understand are out.
Mid corner gearchanges I understand are out.
Think of it as a manual without a clutch and you won't go far wrong. Anything you wouldn't do in a manual, don't do with the F1 box. But one thing to remember is that to give a smooth upchange you do need to ease pressure off the throttle before you flick the paddle otherwise you get a nasty lurch.
Downchanging you can let the computer do the blip for you!
Downchanging you can let the computer do the blip for you!
Does the F430 with the paddle shift have the same "undocumented feature" that the F355 with the F1 paddle shift had?
This was a sticky bit of carpeting by the accelerator pedal, which occasionally stuck the throttle wide open. And the eyes too, according to the driver who discovered this.
The answer is to go to neutral (both paddles), let the engine go wild, (whilst you slow down from 150) then reach down and unstick the pedal.
On consulting the dealer, my friend was told that he had heard of a few cars doing that...
Should this fail to happen then the compasses in the leg will be necessary...
This was a sticky bit of carpeting by the accelerator pedal, which occasionally stuck the throttle wide open. And the eyes too, according to the driver who discovered this.
The answer is to go to neutral (both paddles), let the engine go wild, (whilst you slow down from 150) then reach down and unstick the pedal.
On consulting the dealer, my friend was told that he had heard of a few cars doing that...
Should this fail to happen then the compasses in the leg will be necessary...
As has been already mentioned you need to think of it as a manual rather than an auto transmission. Remember to 'feel' for the clutch pickup using your accelerator foot, start off slowly (it won't stall) and get an idea where the pick-up point is. If you were changing gear in a manual you would depress the clutch, lift the throttle slightly and then engage the next gear. The same thing is true with a semi-manual box. It takes some skill to be smooth but that's why it's not an auto. On changing down you can either let the computer send a blip to the throttle or as I prefer actually blipping it yourself just as you would if using heel and toe in a manual. In fact you can heel and toe in the semi-manual boxes and look more of a hero than you would in a manual box, just remember to get the timing right.
Unlike some systems the F430 only allows you to change gear using paddles (others also have a stick shift). The problem this creates is when pulling out of junctions or around tight roundabouts when you need to change up a gear but can't afford to take your hands of the steering to do it. You therefore need to plan the change in advance and perhaps accelerate a little more aggressively at first to allow you time to fumble around for the up-paddle. Having a stick shift makes this a whole lot easier!
You can change up or down in corners (that's one of the reasons these systems were designed) with the usual proviso that you consider the balance of the car, but unlike a manual box the semi-manual works with the LSD and traction control systems to engage a gear smoothly when cornering loads are present.
p.s. if maneauvering near solid objects just be gentle with the throttle and allow the throttle to pick up and the clutch to engage.
p.p.s. you can bang the gearchanges in without lifting, it's not your car!
>> Edited by DoctorD on Monday 10th October 12:05
Unlike some systems the F430 only allows you to change gear using paddles (others also have a stick shift). The problem this creates is when pulling out of junctions or around tight roundabouts when you need to change up a gear but can't afford to take your hands of the steering to do it. You therefore need to plan the change in advance and perhaps accelerate a little more aggressively at first to allow you time to fumble around for the up-paddle. Having a stick shift makes this a whole lot easier!
You can change up or down in corners (that's one of the reasons these systems were designed) with the usual proviso that you consider the balance of the car, but unlike a manual box the semi-manual works with the LSD and traction control systems to engage a gear smoothly when cornering loads are present.
p.s. if maneauvering near solid objects just be gentle with the throttle and allow the throttle to pick up and the clutch to engage.
p.p.s. you can bang the gearchanges in without lifting, it's not your car!
>> Edited by DoctorD on Monday 10th October 12:05
Well I drove the car and it is sensational! I really cannot believe how little throttle travel is required for a 90-100 cruise in 6th! I was barely brushing the throttle.
Thanks for the tips, I (and the cars owner) tried both methods of changing ie. with a slight throttle lift and no lift and there is a marked difference. It is difficult to gauge (certainly with my limited ability) the required throttle lift, on each upchange to get a smooth transition every time. The owner was having some difficulty also getting it smooth, but then the car does only have 150 miles on the clock, so he's had limited time in the car to become accustomed to it. He said the box is far superior to the 360 F1 box, but I'm not qualified to argue his assessment on this. Reverse being especially easier to engage. Furthermore it seemed a good idea to change down to 2nd before stopping, allowing the ECU to select 1st gear itself, presumably to avoid unnecessary clutch wear.
Thanks for the tips, I (and the cars owner) tried both methods of changing ie. with a slight throttle lift and no lift and there is a marked difference. It is difficult to gauge (certainly with my limited ability) the required throttle lift, on each upchange to get a smooth transition every time. The owner was having some difficulty also getting it smooth, but then the car does only have 150 miles on the clock, so he's had limited time in the car to become accustomed to it. He said the box is far superior to the 360 F1 box, but I'm not qualified to argue his assessment on this. Reverse being especially easier to engage. Furthermore it seemed a good idea to change down to 2nd before stopping, allowing the ECU to select 1st gear itself, presumably to avoid unnecessary clutch wear.
Cheers BR,
Out if interest I've today spoken to the owner and it seems that after him speaking to Ferrari today, it transpires that the new gearbox software automatically allows a tiny throttle reduction once the gear is requested to allow for a smoother gearchange. Effectively meaning that a manual throttle lift is not required and meaning that the gearbox is nearer to those fitted to F1 cars.
As to whether there are any long term side effects of not allowing a manual throttle lift remains to be seen I suppose. Sadly it's not really a problem for me anyway.
Cheers
Out if interest I've today spoken to the owner and it seems that after him speaking to Ferrari today, it transpires that the new gearbox software automatically allows a tiny throttle reduction once the gear is requested to allow for a smoother gearchange. Effectively meaning that a manual throttle lift is not required and meaning that the gearbox is nearer to those fitted to F1 cars.
As to whether there are any long term side effects of not allowing a manual throttle lift remains to be seen I suppose. Sadly it's not really a problem for me anyway.
Cheers
If they can do this in the software, then why the hell isn't it on the existing road cars? I drove an F430 the other day and the upshifts were terrible - even with a lift - although I assume you do learn how to lift "just right." The downshifts were very nice though.
I was also (surprised and) impressed - after only a brief drive - with the quality of the interior and solid feel of the car.
>> Edited by Joe911 on Monday 17th October 14:27
I was also (surprised and) impressed - after only a brief drive - with the quality of the interior and solid feel of the car.
>> Edited by Joe911 on Monday 17th October 14:27
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