clutch overheat warning

[weliker8]

Hi,

New member. I just got my r8 with r-tronic a few days ago. It came with 44 miles on the odometer.


I drove it very lightly for about 40 miles over a 3 day period. Today, after driving it lightly for a while in Automatic and Manual mode up, I was parellel parking it on a hill and suddenly the clutch overheating warning came on. I quickly finished the park job and left it idle to cool down for 3 minutes then switched off the engine.

I normally leave it in automatic mode and use very little throttle, and when I do use manual mode i normally shift at around 3-5000 rpm, again light throttle input.

Is it something to do with the low throttle on parking? basically should i be worrieD?!?!


Thanks!

[ianerrid]

Never seen the warning myself and use it everyday. If you are 'very' delicate with the throttle it tends to slip the clutch in proportion to the amount of throttle travel so, be bold ;-)

[HovyR8]

Welcome to the forum.

I also had this warning the first week (while going up a hill in reverse). I called the dealer and the R8 specialist mechanic told me to continue driving the vehicle and in case it happens again to bring it in for a check. He mentioned I might have push gas too much while reversing on hill.

I went up in reverse several times after on a hill and the warning never came back; even with a very good amount of gas throttle.

IMO, I think you should not worry as your car is brand new but I may be wrong.

ps: You should get answers from other members shortly. We're pretty active here!

[London Lad]

The first car I ever had with a paddle change manual box was a Ferrari 360 F1. It was one of the first off the line.

When it arrived it was almost un-drivable at low speeds, simple parking made you look like a 90 year old granny! The computer would allow far too much clutch slip and during slow speed manoeuvring the revs would rise to 3000 rpm.

Simple parking would activate the clutch over heat beep every time.

I returned the car and the Ferrari updated the firmware and it was like a different car. Never got the overheat beep again.

(apology to any 90 year old grannies who drive Ferraris real well)

[weliker8]

o wow uberfast reponses!

Thanks guys! the reponses have really put me at ease.

I think I wont be reversing on or near a hill again!

[HovyR8]

I think I wont be reversing on or near a hill again!

You have to be able to do whatever you want with the R8. If you wish to reserve for 10 000 miles on a hill, you should be able to do it.

Have the dealer check it in case something needs to be fixed. Perhaps, like for the case of London Lad, some kind of upgrade would resolve everything.

I reversed on a hill the 1st week I got my R8 and had the warning. I only reversed again on a hill after the 1st maintenance (I had mentioned the warning then again) and never had the warning afterwards.

All the best and let us know!


ps: Where are you from? Upgrade your location so we can get updates of your posts via email

[SBFV10]

I'm afraid to parallel park any more. It seems like unless you are on a city street....when you park in a lot, you just pull in! In Oregon, they don't even make you demonstrate that you can parallel park when you take your driver's test now. I know because my 16yo daughter is just getting her license now. So they must feel parallel parking is a dying art.

I certainly forgot how to do it well...and I'm sure my clutch light will come on even if I try to parallel park on a flat street!

So now I'm missing a skill I once had, and I'd be afraid to do it with the R8!!!!

Steve

[weliker8]

haha yes that is true.

I am from Hong Kong. I will call the dealer tmr morning.

Thanks again Hovy!

Parallel parking is easy to pick up again, its just hard to be brave with a new r8!

[ianerrid]

I have to say I use the onscreen idiot guide on the APA... ;-)

[SDR8]

I had the clutch warning turn on once when the car was at around 1,500 miles. I was in bumper to bumper gridlock on a fairly steep hill and not trusting the hill hold I was still holding the brake a bit extra when I needed to go. This caused the clutch to slip more than needed. I ended up just using the parking brake and learned how hill hold works. I have never seen the message again and have been in similar situations.

As you drive more, you will most likely learn to avoid the auto mode. Manually shifting with the paddles or the shifter works much better.