ZF Six-Speed Transmission
Here’s how to operate your
transmission.
This six-speed pattern is unique to GM manual
transmissions. The transmission always repositions the
shift lever to neutral, which is located between
FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) gear.
To prevent unintentional gear selections, additional
force is required to move the shift lever into
REVERSE (R) or FIRST (1). Use FIRST (1) when trailer
towing, driving with a heavier payload or launching
on a grade. Otherwise, start in SECOND (2) gear. Only
shift into FIRST (1) when the vehicle has stopped
moving.
During the first 500 miles (805 km) of vehicle use, start
the vehicle moving in FIRST (1) gear. This allows
the clutch components to wear-in properly.FIRST (1):With the vehicle at a stop, release the
brake, press the clutch pedal and shift into FIRST (1).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal. Only downshift into FIRST (1)
when the vehicle has come to a complete stop. If the
shift lever will not go into FIRST (1), put the lever
in neutral and let up on the clutch pedal to fully engage
the clutch. Press the clutch pedal again. Then, shift
into FIRST (1).
SECOND (2):With the vehicle at a stop, release the
brake, press the clutch pedal and shift into SECOND (2).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal. With the vehicle moving, press the
clutch pedal and upshift into SECOND (2) from
FIRST (1) while applying light pressure to the right on
the shifter. Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the accelerator pedal. If you come to a
complete stop and the shift lever will not go into
SECOND (2), put the lever in neutral and let up on the
clutch pedal to fully engage the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal again. Then, shift into SECOND (2).
THIRD (3):Press the clutch pedal and upshift into
THIRD (3). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6):Upshift into the
higher forward gears the same way as you do
THIRD (3). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you
press the accelerator pedal.
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NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or idle
your engine.
REVERSE (R):To back up, press the clutch pedal.
Wait for the vehicle to stop moving and then, shift
to REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch slowly while
pressing the accelerator pedal. Also, use REVERSE (R),
along with the parking brake, when turning off your
engine and parking your vehicle.
Eaton®Fuller®Nine and Ten-Speed
Non-Synchronized Manual
Transmissions
If your vehicle has one of these transmissions the
engine rpm and road speed must match when upshifting
and downshifting. The label above the windshield will
tell you the operating basics you need to know.
The following are driving tips.
•Always choose an initial starting gear suitable for
the load and terrain.
•Always use double-clutching procedures when
shifting.
•Never move the range shift lever to the LO speed
gear position after HI range preselection, or
anytime the transmission is in the HI range.
•Never move the range knob or lever with the shift
lever in neutral while the vehicle is moving.
•Never make a range shift while moving in
REVERSE (R).
Clutch Brake (Vehicles with
Non-Synchronized Transmission)
A clutch brake is used to stop transmission input shaft
rotation so that FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R) gear
selection can be initiated when the vehicle is at a
standstill and the engine is idling.
Press the clutch pedal all the way down to the floorboard
to apply the clutch brake.
When using the clutch brake, disengage the clutch
pedal and shift the transmission into either the initial
starting gear or REVERSE (R). If the tooth-butting
occurs between the clutching teeth, re-engage the clutch
while applying light pressure to the shift lever. This
will provide for a smooth shift into either FIRST (1) or
REVERSE (R) gear.
Notice:Using the clutch brake for shifting into any
gear other than FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R) may
cause premature wear of the clutch brake and make
gear shift effort more difficult. Do not use the
clutch brake for shifting after engaging FIRST (1) or
REVERSE (R).
2-32
To set the hand lever parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your right foot. Pull up on
the handle with your right hand, until it stops.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is set, the
brake system warning light will come on.
To release the foot pedal parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down. Pull the brake release handle,
located just above the parking brake pedal, to release
the parking brake.
To release the hand lever parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down and push down on the handle
until it stops.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.
Propshaft Park Brake Burnish
Procedure
It is recommended that the propshaft-mounted parking
brake be burnished as part of the new vehicle
break-in. The parking brake will work best after it has
been burnished following these instructions:
Make 10 stops, using the parking brake hand lever or
foot pedal, from 20 mph (32 km/h) about 2 1/2 miles
(4 km) apart. Between stops, drive the vehicle at 20 mph
(32 km/h) to allow the brake to cool.Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
damage the transmission and brake system parts.
Verify that the parking brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before driving.
Rear Wheel Park Brake Burnish
Procedure
It is recommended that the rear wheel mounted parking
brake be burnished as part of the new vehicle
break-in. The parking brake will work best after it has
been burnished following these instructions:
Make one or two stops using the parking brake hand
lever of foot pedal from 55 mph (92 km/h) to a stop with
moderate apply. Each stop should occur within 1/4 of
a mile.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
2-34
Air Brake
{CAUTION:
When the yellow SYSTEM PARK and the red
TRAILER AIR SUPPLY knobs are both pushed
in, your rig will be free to move. It could strike
someone or something. When both of these
knobs are pushed in, hold the regular brake
pedal down to keep your rig from moving.
If your vehicle has air
brakes, you will have this
parking brake. It is
located above the radio in
the instrument panel.
Pulling it out applies the parking brake. The park brake
light will come on when the air parking brake is
applied.Vehicles built for use as tractors or towing vehicles have
two air brake controls. They look like this:
To charge a trailer’s air brake system do the following:
1. Move your tractor into the proper position.
2. Apply the parking brake by pulling the yellow
parking brake knob out.
3. Hook up the trailer air system properly.
4. Get into the tractor.
5. Push and hold down the regular brake pedal.
6. Push in both the yellow parking brake and the red
trailer air supply knobs. This will charge your
trailer’s air system.
2-35
After a few minutes, the trailer system should be fully
charged. When it is, the air pressure gage will show
about 125 to 135 psi (862 to 931 kPa).
For driving with a trailer, the yellow and red (if equipped)
knobs must be pushed in. It’s the same when you’re
not pulling a trailer except that the red trailer air supply
knob must be pulled out.
{CAUTION:
If you apply any one of the air brake parking
controls while the vehicle is moving, your rig
will stop suddenly. If you are not ready for
this, you or others could be injured. Don’t
apply any one of these controls while you’re
driving, unless you have to make an
emergency stop.
If the air pressure drops below 60 to 70 psi
(413 to 482 kPa), the primary brake light and warning
buzzer will come on. If the air pressure drops to
35 to 45 psi (241 to 310 kPa), the red trailer air supply
knob will automatically pop out and apply the spring
brakes on the trailer.If the air pressure drops to 35 to 45 psi (241 to 310 kPa),
the yellow park brake knob will automatically pop out
and apply the spring brakes on the truck or tractor.
If you ever have a complete loss of air so that your air
brakes automatically apply, there is a way that the
tow operator can release the parking brakes to tow the
vehicle. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-31.
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle is left in gear, the engine can
start if the vehicle starts to roll. This can easily
happen if you have the diesel engine. Shift the
transmission into NEUTRAL (N) before you
leave the vehicle.
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Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-5
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Interior Lamps..............................................3-15
Instrument Panel Switchbank..........................3-16
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-17
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-18
Climate Controls............................................3-19
Climate Control System.................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-22
Rear Heating System....................................3-23
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-23
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-24
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-25
Tachometer.................................................3-26
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-26
Safety Belt Reminder Tone............................3-26
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-27
Air Bag Off Light..........................................3-28Charging System Light..................................3-30
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-30
Service Transmission Warning Light................3-31
Range Inhibit Warning Indicator......................3-31
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-31
Parking Brake Warning Light..........................3-34
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-34
Trailer Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light...........................................3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-35
Low Coolant Warning Light............................3-36
Wait to Start Indicator...................................3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-37
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-37
Low Oil Level Light.......................................3-38
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-39
Engine Overspeed Warning Light....................3-39
Engine Shutdown Warning Light.....................3-39
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-40
Exhaust Brake Indicator Light.........................3-40
Differential Lock Indicator Light.......................3-40
Reduced Engine Power Light.........................3-41
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light...........3-41
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
B. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-24.
C. Shift Lever. SeeStarting Your Gasoline Engine on
page 2-12,Starting Your Diesel Engine on page 2-14
andStarting Your DURAMAX™ Diesel Engine on
page 2-19.
D. Air Brake Controls. See ‘‘Air Brake’’ underParking
on page 2-33.
E. Auxiliary Gages. SeeWarning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators on page 3-23.
F. Exterior Lamp Control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-13.
G. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
H. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-5.
I. Audio System(s). SeeAudio System(s) on
page 3-45.
J. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-19.
K. Instrument Panel Switchbank. SeeInstrument Panel
Switchbank on page 3-16.
L. Air Bag Off Switch. SeeAir Bag Off Switch on
page 1-55.
M. Accessory Power Outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlets on page 3-17.Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.
3-5
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
Press in the 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, tap the button
briefly. 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 want 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 or clutch 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 four different ways to turn off the cruise
control:
•Step lightly on the brake pedal (manual and
automatic transmissions).
•Press the clutch pedal to the floor (manual
transmissions).
•Move the cruise switch to off, or
•Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the ignition, your cruise control set
speed memory is erased.
3-12