Skip to content
Caliper & Crankcase Report How To Choose

Owner Manuals & Technical Documentation

Where to find official manuals, understand maintenance schedules, and access the technical resources every Ferrari and Maserati owner needs.

Finding your manual and understanding what it contains

Every Ferrari and Maserati comes with an owner's manual that is more than a reference — it is the document that defines how your specific car was designed to operate, what it actually needs, and when it needs it. The manual is car-specific: a 2015 model year differs from a 2018, and a car built for the North American market differs from one exported to Europe.

The manual covers three critical areas: the normal maintenance schedule that keeps the engine and transmission running to spec, the emergency procedures for breakdowns or accidents, and the specification limits that define what "normal" looks like for everything from fuel octane to tire pressure to coolant concentration.

If you have misplaced your manual or own a used car that came without one, most Ferrari and Maserati dealerships can provide a replacement. Independent specialists who work with these marques often keep copies on hand, and digital versions are available through collectors' forums and online archives.

Find a shop that keeps reference materials — a specialist who has the manuals and can answer questions without needing to call the factory.

Interior of a certified automotive service garage with diagnostic workbench and technical manuals

Reading the maintenance schedule

The maintenance schedule in your manual is structured around two timers: the odometer and the calendar. If you drive 500 miles per year, you still follow the annual maintenance window. If you drive 15,000 miles per year, you might hit the mileage service before the calendar requires it. The manual tells you which comes first.

Each maintenance interval is written in layers. The first layer lists what gets replaced or inspected. The second layer explains why that work matters — what you are actually checking for, and what failure mode you are preventing. A specialist reads both layers and explains them to you. A careless shop reads only the first layer and replaces what the manual says without understanding whether your car actually needs it.

Reference tables and specification data

The tables that matter most appear toward the back of every manual. Tire pressure specifications change based on whether the car is cold or warm, loaded or empty, for street or track. Fluid capacities matter because overfilling is as bad as underfilling — too much oil sloshes into the crankcase breather, too little starves the pump. Brake pad minimum thickness is measured in millimeters, and replacing pads when they hit that threshold prevents rotor damage.

These tables are not optional reference material. They are the specification that defines whether work has been completed correctly. A specialist consults them before finishing every service, and a good shop prints them on the work order so the customer can see what was actually verified.

Tire pressure (cold)
Front and rear specification differs. Always check when cold, before the day's first drive, and adjust before a track day because tire temperatures climb 20–30 psi during aggressive driving.
Oil viscosity and capacity
Exotic engines are engineered for specific oil weights. Using a lighter or heavier grade changes how the hydraulics respond and can compromise performance or reliability. Capacity varies by model; the manual specifies overfill warnings.
Coolant type and concentration
Modern exotics use coolants engineered for high-heat applications. Mixing brands or using street-car coolant can cause scale buildup and reduce heat transfer. The manual specifies the exact product or the acceptable alternatives.
Brake fluid specifications
High-performance brake systems demand DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid with a boiling point rated for track use. Moisture absorption is the enemy; a bottle left open or fluid older than two years should be replaced before any heavy driving.

Bookmark these pages. Print them. Bring them to your service appointment and ask your technician to verify each specification as work is completed.

Common sticking points and how to read past them

Owner's manuals are written in multiple languages, sometimes translated from Italian or Japanese. Terminology varies. What Ferrari calls "fluid level check" might be listed as "oil topping" in another manual edition. What sounds like an obscure maintenance task is often routine inspection documented in formal language.

The most common confusion arises around inspection intervals. "Inspect" does not always mean "check and do nothing." Sometimes it means "check and replace if necessary." Other times it means "document the result for comparison at the next service." A specialist understands the difference and explains it to you upfront.