Possibly a stupid question, but I’m concerned about driving in the rain in my 488 Specifically the metal grates on the sides of the glass covering the engine seem to expose the engine to any water that gets in I’m a new Ferrari owner. How do you deal with driving/parking the 488 GTS in the rain? View attachment 3104448
Not a 488 owner, but my comment is for Ferraris in general (which I own several) - As a new owner to the fold keep in mind it’s just a car (I know this is heresy to the ears for some). As part of a cars development, it goes through wind tunnel and all extreme environmental tests (heat,rain,freezing) to ensure that the product can function in all environments and climates for global sales and driving conditions. Due to the high cost of these vehicles and the associated status symbol of the brand, many owners treat them with excessive care and are afraid to drive them the way they were designed as high performance cars and worry excessively about valuation, and other nonsense that you don’t see with other brands like a comparable priced Mercedes or BMW. Answering your question - I’m sure the car will be just fine getting a little rain on it (just like a car wash) as long as you’re not submerging any components or forcing water with a power sprayer into components. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Owned 4 Ferraris.. driven them all in the rain no problem. My 360 especially was a monster in torrential down pours. If you drive through a big puddle of water, it will kick water up into the engine compartment and fog the rear window, but beyond that no problem. Use wet mode in the 488, as it has a lot of power / torque. Ray
You, sir, have provided a lifetime of ammunition to every goofball that likes to perpetuate the stereotype of the "typical" Ferrari owner. Thank you.
The day I picked up my 360 Modena, it absolutely poured with rain for 4hrs of my trip home, apart from getting dirty, there was no problem at all
If it bothers you, don't drive it. As for the car, it will have no problems. As stated above, they are designed and tested in many environments, rain is no issue. Just drive and enjoy your car.
A couple more worthless Ferrari now… Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Driving your Ferrari in the rain is not an issue when it comes to water getting into the engine bay. it is designed do deal with that, and the heat generated there will vaporize the water quickly. if it is parked in pouring rain pretty much the same thing happens when you start the car. the wiring is very well insulated. I've driven mine in very heavy rain ( 599 ) and had no issues with the water... HOWEVER, the major issue I have in the rain is the wide tires. they dont like puddles much, and can be very sensitive to streaming water ... so I always use slippery mode and drive gently.... my 308- 328 was not as bad as the tire patch was not as wide. I have the same issue with my 911... It does not like heavy rain ... I'm running Michelin Pilot sports on both cars... great when its dry.. .not so much when its super wet.
So this didn't happen after they got wetted in the rain? Really? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I learned when I was racing in the rain, the best place to be is in the tire tracks of the car ahead of you. They move the water and you run in a "dryer" path. I have used this in heavy rain on the street as well. I find it interesting how long the tracks stay after the car passes. You don't have to be right on the car. You can be a safe distance and still see the benefit. Just my morning thought.
Yes, that helps. A lot of the newer pavement is low spray ... so it wicks the water away, but on I-85 driving the 599 in the rain I stay in the middle lanes on top of the crown as much as possible. it does not like puddles at any speed !
These car can make it do with some rain, it's just that this makes the experience quite unpleasant: a high torque high rev engine coupled with big tires is not suitable for rain, this plus the very low ride that makes visibility marginal at best. On a similar vein, I do live in the Alps: on the snow a cheap Dacia duster would get me home much faster than the Ferrari. Given that a Ferrari is not one's unique car, it's possible to choose the most appropriate car for the ride (in some cases, the Ferrari is not always the most relevant alternative). Just as simple as that.
