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2-25 Key Release Button
If you have a manual
transmission, your ignition
lock has a key release
button. You must press the
key release button to turn
the ignition key to LOCK
before you can take your
key out.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your Chevrolet
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL and the
parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the
floor and start the engine. Your vehicle won't start if the
clutch pedal is not all the way down
-- that's a
safety feature.
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2-33 Second-Gear Start (V6 Automatic)
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Second-Gear Start
feature. Press the Second
-Gear Start (SGS) button on
the instrument panel to provide more traction when you
are starting on ice or other slippery surfaces.
The light on the button will illuminate when
Second
-Gear Start (SGS) is selected. The transmission
will be in SECOND (2) gear when the vehicle begins to
move. After starting in SECOND (2), the vehicle will
upshift normally.
This feature is only for improved traction when the road
surface is slippery and is not intended for continuous
use. Always use NORMAL Second
-Gear Start (SGS)
ªOFFº for normal road conditions. You may press the
Second
-Gear Start (SGS) button again to turn off this
feature. The light on the button will go out. Whenever
you start your vehicle, the transmission is in the
NORMAL mode.
Manual Transmission Operation
5-Speed
This is your shift pattern.
Here's how to operate
your transmission:
FIRST (1): Push the clutch and shift into FIRST (1).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you're going less
than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you've come to a complete
stop and it's hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift
lever in NEUTRAL (N) and let up on the clutch. Push
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).
SECOND (2): Push the clutch pedal to the floor as you
let up on the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND
(2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.
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THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5): Shift into
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch as
you push the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and push the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, push the
clutch pedal and brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL (N).
NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
idle your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, push down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
NOTICE:
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped. Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving could damage your transmission.
Also use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake,
for parking your vehicle.
6-Speed
This is your shift pattern.
Here's how to operate
your transmission:
FIRST (1): Push the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you're going less
than 20 mph (30 km/h). If you've come to a complete
stop and it's hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift
lever in NEUTRAL (N) and let up on the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then,
slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
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THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) and
SIXTH (6): Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4),
FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6) gear the same way you do for
SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you
press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL (N).
NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
idle your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, push down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal. If you
shift from SIXTH (6) into REVERSE (R), the shift lever
must be first placed in the NEUTRAL (N) position
centered between SECOND (2) and THIRD (3) prior to
shifting into REVERSE (R).
Your six
-speed manual transmission has a feature that
allows you to safely shift into REVERSE (R) while the
vehicle is rolling (at less than 5 mph/8 km/h).
If you have turned your ignition off and want to park
your vehicle in REVERSE (R), you will have to move
the shift lever quickly to the right, then forward
into gear.
Shift Speeds
CAUTION:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle.
You could injure yourself or others. Don't shift
down more than one gear at a time when
you downshift.
This chart shows when to shift to the next higher gear
for best fuel economy.
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If your speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if the
engine is not running smoothly, you should downshift to
the next lower gear. You may have to downshift two or
more gears to keep the engine running smoothly or for
good performance.
NOTICE:
If you skip more than one gear when you downshift,
or if you race the engine when you downshift, you can
damage the clutch or transmission.
Skip Shift Light (5.7L V8 Engine)
When this light comes on,
you can only shift from
FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4)
instead of FIRST (1) to
SECOND (2). This helps
you to get the best possible
fuel economy.This light will come on under these conditions:
The engine coolant temperature is greater than
170F (77C),
You are going 15 to 20 mph (24 to 32 km/h) and
You are at 35 percent throttle or less.
When the SKIP SHIFT light is on, the gearshift lever
will let you shift from FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) only.
Once you are in FOURTH (4), you can press the clutch
again and shift into another gear.
Follow the shift speeds listed below when the SKIP
SHIFT light is on.
Computer
-Aided Manual Transmission Shift Speeds
1st to 4th @ 15 mph (24 km/h)
4th to 5th @ 25 mph (40 km/h)*
5th to 6th @ 49 mph (64 km/h)**
Each time you come to a stop, the engine's Powertrain
Control Module (PCM) determines when to activate the
SKIP SHIFT upshift system. The SKIP SHIFT upshift
system is bypassed when you accelerate very quickly
from a stop.
*30 mph (48 km/h) when accelerating to highway speeds.
**45 mph (72 km/h) when accelerating to highway speeds.
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2-47 Cruise Control (Option)
With cruise control, you can
maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more
without keeping your foot
on the accelerator.
This can really help on long trips. Cruise control does
not work at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes or push the clutch pedal
(manual transmission) the cruise control shuts off.CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don't
use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
Acceleration Slip Regulation System (ASR) begins to
limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. (See ªASR Systemº in the Index.) When
road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you
may turn the cruise control back on.
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Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use it.
1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Push in the SET button at the end of the lever and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then apply the brake or clutch pedal. This, of course,
shuts off the cruise control. But you don't need to
reset it.
Once you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can move the cruise control switch from ON to R/A
(Resume/Accelerate) for about half a second.
You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are three ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Push the set button at the end of the lever, then
release the button and the accelerator pedal. You'll
now cruise at the higher speed.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
briefly move the switch to R/A and then release it.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed you want, and
then release the switch.
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Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Push in the set button at the end of the lever until
you reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, briefly push
the button. Each time you do this, you'll go 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Out of Cruise Control
There are several ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal or push the clutch
pedal, if you have a manual transmission; or
Move the cruise switch to OFF.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.