👉🏻First of all...photosssss
(and a minimum of presentation would not hurt😉)
(and a minimum of presentation would not hurt😉)
New owner with a few questions :)
Hi Guys I finally bought a 4c and I have a few questions I was hoping you can help me with.
The engine is exposed with the vents at the back, any issues driving this car in heavy rain or even washing it? Or if I have to park outside work (no undercover parking) and its raining all day, any issues? Was thinking of putting a towel or something over the engine once its parked in the rain or when I’m washing it like a towel maybe to protect it or am I overthinking things.
If there’s lots of traffic, as there always seems to be in my area how should I be driving since I read the dual clutch transmission doesn’t like it?
From my test drive (coupe version) the car felt like it had lots of blind spots, how do you guys manage this especially with merging traffic in a highway?
Tramlining, almost every review talked about this. What’s the solution? I read maybe a wheel alignment or changing wheels? I have read about some Alfaworks blocks to solve the tramlining, what are these and are there any reviews? Who installs these? Im not sure what blocks mean, sorry I’m a car noob.
Also I keep reading about some droning at high speeds and the alfaworks quicksilver exhaust apparently solves this? The highest legal speeds in my area are 100km/h will I hear the drone? Is it really that bad?
Thanks guys happy to finally be part of the forum 😊
The engine is exposed with the vents at the back, any issues driving this car in heavy rain or even washing it? Or if I have to park outside work (no undercover parking) and its raining all day, any issues? Was thinking of putting a towel or something over the engine once its parked in the rain or when I’m washing it like a towel maybe to protect it or am I overthinking things.
If there’s lots of traffic, as there always seems to be in my area how should I be driving since I read the dual clutch transmission doesn’t like it?
From my test drive (coupe version) the car felt like it had lots of blind spots, how do you guys manage this especially with merging traffic in a highway?
Tramlining, almost every review talked about this. What’s the solution? I read maybe a wheel alignment or changing wheels? I have read about some Alfaworks blocks to solve the tramlining, what are these and are there any reviews? Who installs these? Im not sure what blocks mean, sorry I’m a car noob.
Also I keep reading about some droning at high speeds and the alfaworks quicksilver exhaust apparently solves this? The highest legal speeds in my area are 100km/h will I hear the drone? Is it really that bad?
Thanks guys happy to finally be part of the forum 😊
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
I’ll post some in 2 weeks which is when I pick it up can’t wait👉🏻First of all...photosssss
(and a minimum of presentation would not hurt😉)
So first put your ass on it and then you will be able to assess the validity or otherwise of your fears...why wrap your head first?😅
Rest assured that if you then want to spend money on modifications and more, you will find here "bread for your teeth”😃👍🏻
Rest assured that if you then want to spend money on modifications and more, you will find here "bread for your teeth”😃👍🏻
Agree with what he said.So first put your ass on it and then you will be able to assess the validity or otherwise of your fears...why wrap your head first?😅
Rest assured that if you then want to spend money on modifications and more, you will find here "bread for your teeth”😃👍🏻
I know you are excited (congrats, by the way), but don’t spend too much time trying to solve problems that may not be there.
Some people put a towel in the back of the car when washing. Probably would not hurt. I don’t, and have found myself parked outside or driving in torrential rain without issue. Be sure your car has the transmission control shield (I’ll try to find a pic), or get it installed for peace of mind).
Exactly like any manual transmission, do not creep with the car in idle, or hold the car stopped on an incline with only throttle. Either have your foot on the brake (hard), or throttle and you’ll be treating your clutch the best you can.
As for tramlining - wait and see if it hasn’t already been sorted by previous owner. Tires, alignment, air presure can all fix this if it still exists.
Merging - you will get used to looking through the mesh on either side of the rear deck glass. And learn how to set your mirrors so that you barelysee your own car and do see more surroundings (as nice as it is to see the car’s hips reflected, if you can then you have a huge blind spot).
Yep, wait and see.
For washing I spread a couple of towels over the electrics simply from paranoia.
No problem with driving in the rain. Done it many times .
The transmission doesn’t like situations where the clutch could be constantly slipping in stop-start traffic. Allow a gap to the car in front to develop before moving off and ensure the clutch is fully engaged when crawling along. Personally, I’d be using a car with a slush box if I was commuting. The 4C is at home in places like the Dandenongs not Swanston Street. When stopped keep your foot on the brake to ensure the clutch isn’t riding at the kiss-point. Riding the clutch with incorrect technique can cause transmission overheating and warnings to stop to allow things to cool. Don’t let it get that far.
Will you hear the drone? Is the Pope Catholic? Wait until you experience it to decide if you can cope. I have severe tinnitus which is why I have the Quicksilver Helmholtz.
Tramlining? Michelins and an alignment is all that’s required. Again, wait and see what it’s like before seeking a remedy. You might not need any.
Merging? You need to have your mirrors angled for the greater width of vision. Lean your body forward when glancing over your right shoulder when merging or wind down the window and lean forward and out to improve your view. Be in the right gear and accelerator response is instant. Merging is a piece of cake. No car is easier.
I remember the excitement waiting for delivery. She’s a unique beastie. There’s nothing like it. Very excited for you.
Welcome! Enjoy your time on the Forum and with your new toy.
Let us know what you discover after you collect her.
Cheers.
For washing I spread a couple of towels over the electrics simply from paranoia.
No problem with driving in the rain. Done it many times .
The transmission doesn’t like situations where the clutch could be constantly slipping in stop-start traffic. Allow a gap to the car in front to develop before moving off and ensure the clutch is fully engaged when crawling along. Personally, I’d be using a car with a slush box if I was commuting. The 4C is at home in places like the Dandenongs not Swanston Street. When stopped keep your foot on the brake to ensure the clutch isn’t riding at the kiss-point. Riding the clutch with incorrect technique can cause transmission overheating and warnings to stop to allow things to cool. Don’t let it get that far.
Will you hear the drone? Is the Pope Catholic? Wait until you experience it to decide if you can cope. I have severe tinnitus which is why I have the Quicksilver Helmholtz.
Tramlining? Michelins and an alignment is all that’s required. Again, wait and see what it’s like before seeking a remedy. You might not need any.
Merging? You need to have your mirrors angled for the greater width of vision. Lean your body forward when glancing over your right shoulder when merging or wind down the window and lean forward and out to improve your view. Be in the right gear and accelerator response is instant. Merging is a piece of cake. No car is easier.
I remember the excitement waiting for delivery. She’s a unique beastie. There’s nothing like it. Very excited for you.
Welcome! Enjoy your time on the Forum and with your new toy.
Let us know what you discover after you collect her.
Cheers.
I put a sheet over the engine and tea towels in the side vents when washing😊Hi Guys I finally bought a 4c and I have a few questions I was hoping you can help me with.
The engine is exposed with the vents at the back, any issues driving this car in heavy rain or even washing it? Or if I have to park outside work (no undercover parking) and its raining all day, any issues? Was thinking of putting a towel or something over the engine once its parked in the rain or when I’m washing it like a towel maybe to protect it or am I overthinking things.
If there’s lots of traffic, as there always seems to be in my area how should I be driving since I read the dual clutch transmission doesn’t like it?
From my test drive (coupe version) the car felt like it had lots of blind spots, how do you guys manage this especially with merging traffic in a highway?
Tramlining, almost every review talked about this. What’s the solution? I read maybe a wheel alignment or changing wheels? I have read about some Alfaworks blocks to solve the tramlining, what are these and are there any reviews? Who installs these? Im not sure what blocks mean, sorry I’m a car noob.
Also I keep reading about some droning at high speeds and the alfaworks quicksilver exhaust apparently solves this? The highest legal speeds in my area are 100km/h will I hear the drone? Is it really that bad?
Thanks guys happy to finally be part of the forum 😊
In addition to what others shared...
1) Clutch wear: In those situations you are describing, I drive it as if it's a manual car in order to minimize the clutch wear. E.g. reversing. Sometimes, you may have to be OK with not being smooth.
2) Blindspot: I do have to use all the tricks - like craning my neck fully, seeing through the vents in the rear, opening the window to hear the surrounding, or looking at the oncoming traffic as I am approaching.
1) Clutch wear: In those situations you are describing, I drive it as if it's a manual car in order to minimize the clutch wear. E.g. reversing. Sometimes, you may have to be OK with not being smooth.
2) Blindspot: I do have to use all the tricks - like craning my neck fully, seeing through the vents in the rear, opening the window to hear the surrounding, or looking at the oncoming traffic as I am approaching.
Tramlining, until I got on this forum I had no idea that the 4C had this problemHi Guys I finally bought a 4c and I have a few questions I was hoping you can help me with.
The engine is exposed with the vents at the back, any issues driving this car in heavy rain or even washing it? Or if I have to park outside work (no undercover parking) and its raining all day, any issues? Was thinking of putting a towel or something over the engine once its parked in the rain or when I’m washing it like a towel maybe to protect it or am I overthinking things.
If there’s lots of traffic, as there always seems to be in my area how should I be driving since I read the dual clutch transmission doesn’t like it?
From my test drive (coupe version) the car felt like it had lots of blind spots, how do you guys manage this especially with merging traffic in a highway?
Tramlining, almost every review talked about this. What’s the solution? I read maybe a wheel alignment or changing wheels? I have read about some Alfaworks blocks to solve the tramlining, what are these and are there any reviews? Who installs these? Im not sure what blocks mean, sorry I’m a car noob.
Also I keep reading about some droning at high speeds and the alfaworks quicksilver exhaust apparently solves this? The highest legal speeds in my area are 100km/h will I hear the drone? Is it really that bad?
Thanks guys happy to finally be part of the forum 😊
. I have not experienced any tramlining.Droning, had the race exhaust, no muffler. Now I have the Magna-flow center exhaust, no muffler. No droning with either.
Rain, once I was in a torrential downpour. The engine compartment is so damn hot that any water just quickly evaporates. Not a problem.
Washing, you can place a towel on the engine, but it really is not necessary. Just do not spray any water directly at the vents.
Prior to driving the car, I thought that rearward vision would be a problem. With the mirrors adjusted properly, this is just of no concern at all.
So much of what I have read about the 4C's problems are so exaggerated or just plain bull"#*'. Wait until you drive the car and decide for yourself.
There ARE two problems. The first is when in reverse and backing up. Vision is terrible. Installing a backup camera will fix this.
The other is the Parrott radio. The worst reception ever. Just get a good antenna and different radio.
Hey congrats & welcome! 😎
My spider lives outside in FL, lotsa rain and I wash it a lot. I’ve had it since November, zero issues! It does have the tcu shield mentioned.
Visibility is rough for sure. Merging is fine for me but I hated reversing. Installed a nice wired backup camera (have a 9” screen head unit) and all is well now.
I didn’t like the drone of the stock race exhaust, not terrible but annoyed me a bit, so I went with the Quicksilver. Another big reason is that I just wanted the CF exhaust tips, haha.
Tramlining was noticeable for me and I had plans to get the blocks and an alignment. After getting different tires though it feels amazingly better. I’m not going to bother with the blocks now. Likely just buy some shims and have the alignment tweaked a bit more eventually. No rush though as the tires made a big diff for me.
My spider lives outside in FL, lotsa rain and I wash it a lot. I’ve had it since November, zero issues! It does have the tcu shield mentioned.
Visibility is rough for sure. Merging is fine for me but I hated reversing. Installed a nice wired backup camera (have a 9” screen head unit) and all is well now.
I didn’t like the drone of the stock race exhaust, not terrible but annoyed me a bit, so I went with the Quicksilver. Another big reason is that I just wanted the CF exhaust tips, haha.
Tramlining was noticeable for me and I had plans to get the blocks and an alignment. After getting different tires though it feels amazingly better. I’m not going to bother with the blocks now. Likely just buy some shims and have the alignment tweaked a bit more eventually. No rush though as the tires made a big diff for me.
I daily drive mine. In the mornings, I tend to stay in the right most lane on the interstate if it's not too damaged from trucks. You'll also get less chips from rocks there as long as you don't follow anyone too close. If I stay at 60-65 mph, in Natural mode and 6th gear it's very comfortable. The Michelin Pilot Sport 2 connects that I have are very quiet compared to the stock Pirellis. The high pitch wine of the Pirellis combined with the engine is not pleasant. And with my LE exhaust, the worst droning is around 75 mph in 6th.
On the way home though, I want to hear the engine because around 4000 rpm, it makes a great sound that's kind of addicting. So, you have a choice which is nice. Calm at 60 and 6th gear, and roaring hanging in 4th gear. Most of my drive is half backroads and half interstate. And I'm still getting 26 mpg average!
On the way home though, I want to hear the engine because around 4000 rpm, it makes a great sound that's kind of addicting. So, you have a choice which is nice. Calm at 60 and 6th gear, and roaring hanging in 4th gear. Most of my drive is half backroads and half interstate. And I'm still getting 26 mpg average!
Wow thanks for the advice everyone so helpful!
I'll definitely check for the water guard the one I got is a Launch edition so not sure what the difference is between that and a normal version
I'll definitely check for the water guard the one I got is a Launch edition so not sure what the difference is between that and a normal version
The TCU water guards started going into cars from the factory later in 2015 or early 2016 IIRC (my North American LE did not have but my 2016 came with it).Wow thanks for the advice everyone so helpful!
I'll definitely check for the water guard the one I got is a Launch edition so not sure what the difference is between that and a normal version
Congrats on your 4C @Alfaaaaaa
Don’t overthink it. The car is not a submarine, and is not designed for river crossings, but it will handle most heavy rain that you are likely to come across in day to day travels.
Wait til you get the car before worrying about any handling issues. Some of the later cars had good alignments from the factory, and most earlier cars will already have had their handling issues fixed by previous owners.
The car can be used as a daily driver, but you have to escape to the country roads or race track to really enjoy a 4C at its best.
Having said that… if you are going to be city driving, you need all of your senses to be in survival mode.
The biggest issue with driving a 4C in traffic is that just like a motorcycle rider you are difficult to see. You have to drive like there will be people out there actively trying to kill you.
Be especially careful when driving in stop-start traffic as you will be below the window height of many vehicles and if they don’t use their mirrors effectively, or just look over their shoulder they could change lanes on top of you. Queued traffic is particularly dangerous when people leave a gap and opposite direction traffic rushes through that gap - a loud exhaust and air horns are good safety devices in traffic.
The 4C also accelerates quickly into spaces that people don’t expect you to be capable of based on their own vehicle dynamics, so be ready for all of the dopey duckers that only use their mirrors for checking their make-up, as they will do their best to get in the way.
I look forward to seeing some pics and hearing about your initial impressions when your 4C arrives.
Cheers,
Alf
P.S. the DNA and Auto functions are there for a reason. Read the manual and learn to use the transmission properly. It will save wear and tear on the clutches and will make life in traffic much more bearable.
Don’t overthink it. The car is not a submarine, and is not designed for river crossings, but it will handle most heavy rain that you are likely to come across in day to day travels.
Wait til you get the car before worrying about any handling issues. Some of the later cars had good alignments from the factory, and most earlier cars will already have had their handling issues fixed by previous owners.
The car can be used as a daily driver, but you have to escape to the country roads or race track to really enjoy a 4C at its best.
Having said that… if you are going to be city driving, you need all of your senses to be in survival mode.
The biggest issue with driving a 4C in traffic is that just like a motorcycle rider you are difficult to see. You have to drive like there will be people out there actively trying to kill you.
Be especially careful when driving in stop-start traffic as you will be below the window height of many vehicles and if they don’t use their mirrors effectively, or just look over their shoulder they could change lanes on top of you. Queued traffic is particularly dangerous when people leave a gap and opposite direction traffic rushes through that gap - a loud exhaust and air horns are good safety devices in traffic.
The 4C also accelerates quickly into spaces that people don’t expect you to be capable of based on their own vehicle dynamics, so be ready for all of the dopey duckers that only use their mirrors for checking their make-up, as they will do their best to get in the way.
I look forward to seeing some pics and hearing about your initial impressions when your 4C arrives.
Cheers,
Alf
P.S. the DNA and Auto functions are there for a reason. Read the manual and learn to use the transmission properly. It will save wear and tear on the clutches and will make life in traffic much more bearable.
Congrats on your 4C! Another Floridian here. No issues with rain, and we get plenty. My car has the TCU shield. It was definitely freaky the first time I drove in the rain and saw the water dripping into the engine compartment through the rear view mirror. I also found that if I go fast enough the rain just blows off!
I agree with @alf Alpha….my biggest concern when driving in the city is not being seen. We have more than a few lifted Ford F-250s in central Florida, and the 4C isn’t even as high as the side rails on those trucks. Then there are the clueless drivers, who I am convinced don’t even use their mirrors. I find myself triple checking the side views and looking over my shoulder when changing lanes. Always on defense. Once out of the city though…..pure fun! And watch out for the curbs at the front of parking spaces!
I agree with @alf Alpha….my biggest concern when driving in the city is not being seen. We have more than a few lifted Ford F-250s in central Florida, and the 4C isn’t even as high as the side rails on those trucks. Then there are the clueless drivers, who I am convinced don’t even use their mirrors. I find myself triple checking the side views and looking over my shoulder when changing lanes. Always on defense. Once out of the city though…..pure fun! And watch out for the curbs at the front of parking spaces!
Good stuff, how do you guys handle normal, reverse parking and parallel parking?
The lack of power steering didn’t feel like an issue when I was driving it normally but I tried to park a few times and it felt so hard, will def be installing a reverse camera
The lack of power steering didn’t feel like an issue when I was driving it normally but I tried to park a few times and it felt so hard, will def be installing a reverse camera
I have successfully avoided parallel parking so far. A reverse camera is a definite plus. The lack of power steering was a little strange at first, but now I find if I go slow and give myself more space than I think I need, it’s not an issue. Plus….a good forearm workout!
Easy. All Aussie 4Cs have rear parking sensors. Those plus mirrors make it a cinch. I reverse park into my garage at the conclusion of every drive. It’s a non-issue. Just use your side mirrors by changing the angle to see the gutter if reverse parallel parking.Good stuff, how do you guys handle normal, reverse parking and parallel parking?
The lack of power steering didn’t feel like an issue when I was driving it normally but I tried to park a few times and it felt so hard, will def be installing a reverse camera
Edit: Don’t try to turn the steering wheel if you’re not in motion. Move slowly and turn the wheel. Turning it while stationary is poor technique.
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