2001 CHEVROLET CORVETTE manual transmission

2-32
Shift Speeds (Manual Transmission)
CAUTION:
If you skip a 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 the best fuel economy.
If your engine speed drops below 900 rpm, 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 engine performance.
NOTICE:
When you are shifting gears, don't move the
gearshift lever around needlessly. This can
damage parts of the transmission and may
require costly repair. Shift directly into the next
appropriate gear.

2-33 One to Four Shift Light
(Manual Transmission)
When this light comes on,
you can only shift from
FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4)
instead of FIRST (1) to
SECOND (2).
You must complete the shift into FOURTH (4) to turn
off this feature. This helps you get the best possible
fuel economy.
After shifting to FOURTH (4), you may downshift to a
lower gear if you prefer.
NOTICE:
Do not try to force the shift lever into SECOND (2)
or THIRD (3) when the 1 TO 4 SHIFT light comes
on. Do not try to re
-engage FIRST (1) after
starting to shift into FOURTH (4). You will damage
your transmission. Shift only from FIRST (1) to
FOURTH (4) when the light comes on.
This light will come on when:

The engine coolant temperature is higher than
169F (76C),

you are going 15 to 19 mph (24 to 31 km/h) and

you are at 21 percent throttle or less.

2-34
Downshifting (Manual Transmission)
Do not downshift into the gear shown below at a speed
greater than shown in the table:
FIRST (1) 50 mph (80 km/h). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECOND (2) 74 mph (119 km/h). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THIRD (3) 101 mph (163 km/h). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FOURTH (4) 130 mph (209 km/h). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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, driveshaft
or transmission.
The six-speed transmission has a spring that centers the
gearshift lever near THIRD (3) and FOURTH (4). This
spring helps you know which gear you are in when you
are shifting. Be careful when shifting from FIRST (1) to
SECOND (2) or downshifting from SIXTH (6) to
FIFTH (5). The spring will try to pull the gearshift lever
toward FOURTH (4) and THIRD (3). Make sure you
move the lever into SECOND (2) or FIFTH (5). If you
let the gearshift lever move in the direction of the
pulling, you may end up shifting from FIRST (1) to
FOURTH (4) or from SIXTH (6) to THIRD (3).

2-38
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brake before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transmission
Operationº in the Index.
As a reminder, you will see a message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) that will say PRESS BRAKE
BEFORE SHIFT within 15 seconds unless the brake
is pressed.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the gear you wish.If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACC.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have your vehicle inspected by your dealer as soon
as possible.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R) and firmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed into REVERSE (R)
with the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the ignition
key to OFF, remove the key and release the clutch.

2-50

Move the cruise switch to R/A. Hold it there until
you get up to the speed you want, then release the
switch. (To increase your speed in very small
amounts, move the switch to R/A briefly, then
release it. Each time you do this, the vehicle will go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) will display the
cruise set speed.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce 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, push the
SET button briefly. Each time you do this, you'll
go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
The Driver Information Center (DIC) will display the
cruise set speed.Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase speed. When you
take your foot off the pedal, the 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 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 Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal or push the clutch
pedal, if you have a manual transmission vehicle.

Move the cruise switch to OFF.
The Driver Information Center (DIC) will display the
message ªCRUISE DISENGAGED.º
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
cruise control set speed memory is erased.

2-63
NOTICE:
To avoid damage to the roof panel, paint and
weatherstripping, do not drop or rest it on its
edges. Place the roof panel in the egg
-shaped
stowage receivers after removing it from
the vehicle.
1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake firmly
and shift an automatic transmission into PARK (P).
Shift a manual transmission into REVERSE (R).
2. Turn the ignition key to OFF. Lower both sun visors
and turn them toward the door glass.
3. Open the rear liftgate and remove any items that may
interfere with proper storage of the roof panel.
4. Make sure to install the two egg-shaped stowage
receivers into the floor of the rear storage
compartment. Secure both receivers into their proper
positions by turning them counterclockwise.
5. Lower the windows and open the doors.

2-70
When lowering and raising the convertible top, you will
use the following:
A. Front Edge of the Convertible Top
B. Rear Edge of the Convertible Top
C. Storage Compartment Lid
Lowering the Convertible Top
NOTICE:
Don't leave the convertible out with the top down
for any long periods of time. The sun and rain
can damage the seat material and other things
inside the vehicle.
1. Set the parking brake firmly. Shift an automatic
transmission into PARK (P). Shift a manual
transmission into REVERSE (R).
2. Turn the ignition key to OFF. Lower both sun visors
and turn them toward the door glass.
NOTICE:
Before lowering the convertible top into the
storage area, be sure there are no objects in the
way of the folded, stored top. The weight of a
stored top on items in the storage area may cause
the convertible top back glass to break.

2-74
Raising the Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake firmly
and shift an automatic transmission into PARK (P).
Shift a manual transmission into REVERSE (R).
Lower both windows and sun visors and turn the
ignition key to OFF.
2. Tilt the driver's seat forward and press the storage
compartment release button, or use the manual
release cable if battery power has been lost. Lift the
storage compartment lid (C). (After pressing the
release button, the driver and passenger door glass
should retract to the full
-down position, if they have
not already been lowered.)
3. Pull the top up by firmly gripping the front edge (A)
of the convertible top with your hand and applying a
brisk, firm upward and forward motion to get the top
in the full
-up position.