The vehicle had now been standing idle for a week. It had also been a week where the issues of the car failing to start had continued to nag at the consciousness. Even though various mechanics had been contacted about the issue all that they could offer was ‘bring it in and we’ll plug in the computer to see what the error code says’. Yeah, that wasn’t going to help if the thing didn’t start today now would it?

Deep breath. Turn the key, Crank, crank, crank, no start. Oh no, not again! Crank, crank, crank, no start. State of mild panic starting to escalate. Crank, crank, crank, no start. Nope. Resignation. There’s something wrong. It doesn’t sound as though it is even likely to start. What to do? What to do? Hang on a sec, why’s this little red light flashing on the console? Like D’Oh, the immobilizer is on and if that is on guess what? The engine won’t start. Press the remote to disable the immobilizer and now the engine starts. How dumb do you feel now?

It would therefore seem that the issue at the service station the previous week when filling up were exactly the thing. The immobilizer had enabled itself while pfafing around with the filler cap and as such the car wouldn’t start. How dumb do you feel now?

The feeling of accomplishment lasted about 30 minutes as out on the freeway the “1/4 Slow Down” light once again started to flash. Great. After a short while it came on solid which is an indication that it is time to stop the vehicle. But, after briefly slowing down a little the light disappeared. Hmmm…it would seem that this happened about the same time into the journey as last time. You get the impression that it is an issue with the thermocouple. Hopefully. Let’s keep going.

With the freeway journey completed without further incident, it was time to pay a visit to another car enthusiast. After the requisite swooning period, it was appropriate to remove the targa roof and take them for a spin. A few minutes into the journey the old “1/4 Slow Down” warning comes on again and then disappears, just to let you know that it is lonely.

At least this time someone else gets to see the warning and being a lot more experienced with cars my passenger finds that the top connection of the thermocouple is hanging loose. He manages to return it to its secure location after some hand and finger contortions. Maybe, the fact that it was loose was causing the warning light issue? Don’t know, time will tell on that score.

With the roof it was time to brave morning traffic and return the car home,

As the car ticked itself cool from its adventures today it was somewhat pleasing to get to the bottom of the engine not starting issues but disappointing that the “1/4 Slow Down” warning continues to reappear. The car continues its attempts at intimidation but that is now becoming somewhat more familiar. The hope is that it will soon be accepting of its new occupant and stop trying to throw them.

After picking up the vehicle the day before it was now time to give the machine a run along the more accommodating freeways. Deciding on an early start, to avoid traffic, the F355 emerged from the garage and waited at the lights to the main road. Although the petrol level wasn’t critical, now would probably be a good time to fill the car up.

Pulled into the petrol station and pressed the button on the centre console to open the filler cap. Upon getting out of the car and going around to that side of the vehicle it was discovered that the filler cap was in fact still closed. The natural conclusion is that that car needs to be running for the button to open the cap. Jump back into the car and try and start the car. It cranks but then fails to start. On no! Please no! Try again. Still no go. Mild panic begins to set in. Visions of towing, repair bills being to fill one’s mind. Try once more. Still won’t start. In a non starting Ferrari EVERY one can hear you scream and worst of all can see you as well.

This is not looking good. The best option is probably to call for road side assistance but for that the nearest side street will be required. It is almost as if you are strolling around naked as you walk away from the service station and away from the car towards the nearest intersection holding a mobile phone to you ear and wearing a pained look no doubt.

As luck would have it the call for assistance dropped out. Let’s give this one more try. Unlock the car, get in and this time it fires up! Ok, what to do here? Continue to fill it up or drive it back? Filling it up will mean turning the engine off and there maybe a chance that it won’t fire up again after that. Decisions, decisions. No, we are here now and the car need fuel so let’s open the filler cap with the engine running, turn the car off and fill it up. If it doesn’t fire afterwards then we’ll just deal with that then.

Such antics had by now attracted a bit of crowd of onlookers going about their morning business. Judging that things were a little more positive with the car, they had  after all heard it start, came over to inspect the beast. A few nervous laughs and dismissive comments the crowd disbursed back to their own vehicle to either watch the next episode or get on with their business. Seems like having an audience is part and parcel of driving a vehicle like this. However, in this situation it isn’t something that is enjoyable.

Car filled, monies paid and with fingers crossed the key was once again turned. Without hesitation the car started and what remained of one’s dignity could now roll out of the service station.

The car performed flawlessly through the remainder of its trip but the failing to start incident continued to haunt during the week. As you will discover in the next post the issue for the vehicle failing to start was that the engine immoboiliser had engaged during the process of pfafing around with the filler cap. Failing to notice this of course meant the car would not start. D’OH!

After much heartache and anxiety the decision had been made and it was time to actually take delivery. A train trip to the dealer provided plenty of time to reflect on the choices made and whether it was such a smart move. Upon reflection, it would seem that actually purchasing a Ferrari F355 is not the issue, the issue is more around things you never think of, like insurance, garaging, cleaning and so on. However, the commitment had been undertaken and it was time to live the dream.

Finally taking the keys and starting the vehicle is a very alien feeling. The Ferrari F355 is very different from other cars, especially from a drivers perspective. It is more ‘analogue’ than most modern cars, it sounds very different and most importantly it ‘feels’ very different simply by virtue of being a Ferrari. Pulling away from the curb outside the dealer is a surreal experience. The responsibility for the vehicle is now all yours. Strangely enough, your thoughts are consumed more by the negative that the positives. So the intimidation has commenced.

Driving the F355 through city traffic is again a  surreal experience as you are now inside what you have only admired previously from the outside. Now you have entered the rarefied atmosphere of being behind the wheel. Problem is, in city traffic, you have to deal with other vehicles and doing so for the first time is somewhat nerve racking. The other challenge is actually sticking to speed limit. You are now in a car that gets noticed even when it is standing still, you know that many eyes, including speed cameras, are now watching.

All appeared to be going smoothly until about thirty minutes into the drive when the “1/4 Slow down” light started to flicker on the dash. This is accompanied by an immediate loss of power as cylinders 1 through 4 are shut down. This warning light is an indication that the catalytic converters are overheating. Interestingly, the vehicle was travelling less than 40 Kmph in a freeway construction zone. Exactly the same issue had surfaced at almost exactly the same time for the author of “One Year with a Ferrari“. Reading the book is a very worthwhile experience for anyone considering an F355 but it was very deflating to see such a problem with the car almost immediately.

Carrying on, through the freeway construction zone, resulted in the “1/4 Slow down” warning not reappearing. There was a chance that the issue had something to do with the thermocouple reading the temperature rather than the catalytic converters. Something to make a mental note of now coming off the freeway and back onto suburban roads. A few moments later the vehicle was stationery and ticking itself cool. There was a general sigh of relief as the very first experience with the car was now complete.

The next challenge for the driver and vehicle was to see whether it would fit in what appeared to be a somewhat narrow garage area. Arrival at the door, deep breath, and in we go. So getting in is ok, now what about getting out? A few moments later the F355 emerged successfully from the exit to the garage. Phew. A big sigh of relief. Really didn’t know what would of happened if it hadn’t been able to get out of there. Time to park the beast and walk away for today.

Like any new car, getting acquainted takes time and a few of the major concerns had been answered but another one (the “1/4 Slow Down” warning light) had been raise. Yet on balance the positives outweighed the negatives and relationship had passed its first major test.