2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE automatic transmission

Stopping Your Engine
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, move the
shift lever to PARK (P) and press the ACC button
located on the instrument panel. If the shifter is not in
PARK (P), the vehicle will go into accessory mode
and the DIC will display SHIFT TO PARK. Once the
shifter is moved to PARK (P), the vehicle will turn off.
If your vehicle has a manual transmission, move the shift
lever to REVERSE (R).
If the keyless access transmitter is not detected inside
the vehicle when it is turned to off, the DIC will
display NO FOB – OFF OR RUN?.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53for
more information.
Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may be equipped with an engine coolant
heater.
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required. Your vehicle may also have
an internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord. This
will prevent operation of the engine coolant heater
when the temperature is at or above 0°F (−18°C) as
noted on the cord.
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Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different
positions for your shift
lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-33.
Be sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system.
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You have to fully apply your regular brakes before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the vehicle is running.
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.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-35.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging your transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 4-32.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. If your vehicle
needs towing, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-38.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not running
at high speed when shifting your vehicle.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):This position is for
normal driving.
SPORT MODE (S):When in SPORT MODE (S), the
transmission will work as an automatic until you use the
Manual Paddle Shift Controls, which activates the driver
manual gear selection. See Manual Paddle Shift later in
this section. While in automatic SPORT MODE (S), the
transmission computer determines when the vehicle is
being driven in a competitive manner and will select and
hold the transmission in lower gears and have more
noticeable upshifts for sportier vehicle performance.
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Manual Paddle Shift
While in SPORT MODE (S), the paddles located on the
steering wheel, can be used to manually up-shift or
down-shift the transmission.
While in SPORT MODE (S) mode, push the paddle
above the steering wheel spokes to up-shift to the next
gear, or pull on the paddle behind the steering wheel
spokes to down-shift to the next gear.To use the system, shift from PARK (P) to SPORT
MODE (S) while stopped and with the engine running,
or from DRIVE (D) with the vehicle moving. When
accelerating your vehicle from a stop in snowy and icy
conditions, you may want to shift to second (2) or
third (3) gear. A higher gear allows you to gain more
traction on slippery surfaces. If the Traction Control
is active, upshifts are delayed to increase your control
of the vehicle. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-9.
While the Manual Paddle Shift gear selection system is
active, the transmission will automatically downshift
through the gears as the vehicle slows. The transmission
will select second gear as the vehicle stops. From a stop,
the vehicle will start from and hold second (2) gear unless
the driver manually paddle shifts into a different gear or
selects DRIVE (D). The driver can select rst (1) gear for
maximum acceleration from a stop.
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When you up-shift or
down-shift when using
the Manual Paddle
Shift Feature while in the
SPORT MODE (S),
the current gear will be
displayed in the Driver
Information (DIC), or the
Head-Up Display (HUD),
if the vehicle has this
feature.
The Manual Paddle Shift system will not allow either an
up-shift or a down-shift if the vehicle speed is too
fast or too slow, nor will it allow a start from fourth (4) or
higher gear
If up-shifting does not occur when needed, the vehicle
speed will be limited to protect the engine.
The transmission will also automatically down-shift as
the vehicle slows down and comes to a stop.
When the transmission gear does not respond to a shift
change, the DIC will show an X over the gear display.When a requested shift is
denied due to the speed
restrictions shown, the DIC
will momentarily show
an X over the gear display
and a chime will sound.
If the vehicle has HUD, and the transmission gear
does not respond to a shift change, then a chime will
sound and the HUD will momentarily show an X over the
gear display.
Manual Paddle Shift operation is available for use with
Cruise Control, seeCruise Control on page 3-11for
more information.
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Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located to the right of the
center console.
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.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Then push the release button in as you move
the parking brake lever all the way down.
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.
Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
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. Press the ACC button (ignition switch) to turn the
engine off.
2-33

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. Do not 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 have
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 was not fully locked
into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not 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 “torque lock.” 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 “Shifting Into PARK (P)” listed
previously in this section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you 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 transmission parking pawl, so you can
pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-34

Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P)
when the ignition is off. In addition, you have to fully
apply your regular brake before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition is on. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-26.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and 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 cannot
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Put the vehicle in accessory power mode.
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
off and release the clutch.
2-35