2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ignition

NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or idle
your engine. Your shift lever is in NEUTRAL when it is
centered in the shift pattern, not in any gear.
REVERSE (R):To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Just apply pressure
to get the lever past FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6) into
REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal slowly while
pressing the accelerator pedal.
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 3 mph (5 km/h)). You
will be locked out if you try to shift into REVERSE (R)
while your vehicle is moving faster than 3 mph (5 km/h).
If you have turned your ignition off and wish to park
your vehicle in REVERSE (R), you will have to move the
shift lever quickly to the right, and immediately forward
into gear.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.
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If your vehicle is a Z06, do not downshift into a gear
shown below at a speed greater than shown in the table:
FIRST (1) 48 mph (77 km/h)
SECOND (2) 69 mph (111 km/h)
THIRD (3) 100 mph (161 km/h)
FOURTH (4) 143 mph (230 km/h)
Notice:If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, or if you race the engine when you
release the clutch pedal while downshifting, you
could damage the engine, clutch, driveshaft or the
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).
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake lever up. If the ignition is on, the
brake system warning light will come on.
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2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the lever and pushing the lever all the
way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
remove the key from the ignition, the vehicle is in
PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake ®rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch ®re.
You or others could be injured. Don't leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is ®rmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold down
the regular brake pedal. See if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without ®rst pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
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Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may ®nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque
lock.º To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver's seat. To ®nd out how, see ªShifting
Into PARK (P)º listed previously in this section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
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
Automatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-24.
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.
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If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACCESSORY.
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)
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R) and ®rmly 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.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things
that can burn.
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Roof Panel
Your vehicle may have a removable roof panel.
Removing the Roof Panel
{CAUTION:
Don't try to remove a roof panel while the
vehicle is moving. Trying to remove the roof
panel while the vehicle is moving could cause
an accident. The panel could fall into the
vehicle and cause you to lose control, or it
could ¯y off and strike another vehicle. You or
others could be injured. Remove the roof panel
only when the vehicle is parked.
Until you are sure you can remove the panel alone,
have someone help you.
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 ®rmly
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 hatch 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 ¯oor of the rear storage
compartment. Secure both receivers into their
proper positions by turning them counterclockwise.
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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 ®rmly. 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.3. Unlock the front of the convertible top by lowering
the latch handles and turning them inward. Push
the latch handles back to the up position.
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7. Then move the top rearward to its fully-stored
position.
8. After the top is stored, apply one even push on the
center of the front edge (A) of the convertible top to
assure that the top is fully retracted.
9. Close the storage compartment lid (C) by closing
with a swift, ®rm motion.
Raising the Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake ®rmly
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.)
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