Here are a couple questions I have regarding proper downshifting on a 360 F1. If it matters at all, my clutch has about 6k miles since new. Question 1: When downshifting from 2nd to 1st in my 360 F1 I notice a much harder gear change than when I downshift from any other gear. Is this normal? Question 2: Also I have heard that you can stay on the gas while downshifting during normal driving. Is this true, or do I need to be lifting off the gas during downshifts? Thanks, Aeron Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
1. its normal because the 1-2 is a tall gear. I.e. ratio change is bigger than other gear changes, such as 4-5 or 5-4. 2. yes, it is true. the computer will cut fuel for you.
Note that you only get rev matching if you are in Sport. In Normal, no rev matching on upshifts or downshifts.
One thing i never did was to down shift into first (manual shift here). Actually when slowing id just go to neutral from third then come to complete stop then into first. I think its better for the car overall
Can you further explain "rev matching" and how its advantages and disadvantages for our cars? Sorry, if this is a simple concept
IMO downshifting into first is not a good idea for any car. First gear is a very low gear for pulling away. I never shift into first in my 360 unless I'm at a very slow roll. I have a 2003 F1 360 To add... I had a very weird experience recently when I downshifted to first and it appeared that the computer decided to do the same for me at the same time. The car stuttered, ran what seemed like on one bank and when I pulled away from the traffic light I got a CEL. I drove it for a bit and than run it up on the RPMs and it seemed fine but then began running a little rough again. I went home, shut the battery off via the knob in the frunk waited about 10 minutes and then turned it back to power. I started the car and the CEL was gone. I let it idle for about 5 minutes and then took it for a spirited drive with no issues or a return of the CEL. Since then all is well and the car runs as normal. No CEL. Go figure
Simple answer: As you shift down to a lower gear in a car without "rev matching" the engine will rev at a higher RPM with the lower gear selected-- no doubt you have noticed how the engine RPMs jump up considerably on a downshift in most cars if you don't add a little throttle for a smoother shift. The computer system (ECU Engine Control Unit and the TCU Transmission control unit in F1 cars) with automatically raise the the engine revs to better match the selected lower gear. Same principle with upshifts.
Thanks to those that provided feedback. I’ve been letting the computer shift into first since I didn’t like the 2nd-1st manual shift feel. Has worked better. I kinda like the shift to neutral idea though. I’ll give that a try.
