2008 CHEVROLET CORVETTE engine

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. Do not 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.
Manual Transmission Recommended
Shift Speeds in mph (km/h)
EngineAcceleration Shift Speed
1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5 5to6
All
Engines15 (24) 25 (40) 40 (64) 45 (72) 50 (80)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 shifting gears, do not move the shift
lever around unnecessarily. This may damage
the transmission. Shift directly into the next gear.
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).
SeeOne-to-Four Shift Light (Manual Transmission) on
page 3-40for more information.
2-31

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
release the clutch pedal while downshifting, you
could damage the engine, clutch, driveshaft or the
transmission. Do not skip gears or race the
engine when downshifting.
The six-speed transmission has a spring that centers
the shift 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
shift lever toward FOURTH (4) and THIRD (3).
Make sure you move the lever into SECOND (2) or
FIFTH (5). If you let the shift 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
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. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
2-32

Shifting Into Park
(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.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-32for more
information.
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.
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with
the engine running. The vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) 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
the 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).
2-33

Parking the 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.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot
see or smell. It can cause unconsciousness
and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
The exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over
road debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or the exhaust system
has been modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down
to blow out any CO.
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
2-35

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-35.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Also see “If You Are Caught in a Blizzard”
underWinter Driving on page 4-19.
{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. 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 the
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-33.
2-36

Lowering the Power Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface. Start the engine. Shift an
automatic transmission into PARK (P) and set the
parking brake. Shift a manual transmission into
NEUTRAL, and set the parking brake.
2. Make sure the trunk is closed and the rear trunk
partition in the rear storage area is in the fastened
upright position, and that no objects are forward
of the divider. See “Rear Trunk Partition” under
Rear Storage Area on page 2-54.
3. Release the convertible top front latch, located above
the inside rearview mirror, by pulling and turning it
clockwise toward the driver’s door. Push upward on
the front edge. The windows will automatically lower.4. Push and hold the
bottom of the power
convertible top button,
located to the left of
the steering wheel, on
the instrument panel.
The windows will automatically lower and the convertible
top will lower into the rear of the vehicle. A chime will
sound when the convertible top has lowered completely.
If the radio is on the sound may be muted for a brief time
due to a new audio system equalization being loaded.
If the convertible top is operated multiple times, the
engine should be running to prevent drain on the
vehicle’s battery. Under certain conditions, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) may display a message
regarding the power convertible top. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-57for more information.
2-69

Raising the Power Convertible Top
Notice:If you raise or lower the convertible top
while the vehicle is in motion, you could damage the
top or the top mechanism. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always put an
automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a manual
transmission in NEUTRAL before raising or lowering
the convertible top.
1. Park on a level surface. Start the engine. Shift an
automatic transmission into PARK (P) and set the
parking brake. Shift a manual transmission into
NEUTRAL and set the parking brake.
2. Make sure the trunk lid is closed and the rear trunk
partition in the rear storage area is in the fastened
upright position, and that no objects are forward
of the divider. See “Rear Trunk Partition” under
Rear Storage Area on page 2-54.
3. Push and hold the top of the power convertible top
button. The top will raise and the windows will lower
if they were in the raised position. A chime will
sound when the top is raised completely.4. After the convertible top is completely raised,
release the power convertible top button.
5. Pull the convertible front top latch down and turn it
counterclockwise to lock the convertible top.
If the radio is on the sound may be muted for a brief time
due to a new audio system equalization being loaded.
2-70

2. Locate the pressure release bolt on the front side of
the hydraulic pump.
3. Use the wrench, located in the console, and turn
the pressure release bolt counterclockwise
one revolution, to relieve pressure to the hydraulic
pump. This will allow you to manually raise the
convertible top.
4. Then follow the steps under raising the manual
convertible top. See “Convertible Top (Manual)”
underConvertible Top (Manual) on page 2-62
orConvertible Top (Power) on page 2-68.When power is restored to the vehicle, the hydraulic bolt
must be tightened, by turning it clockwise. The power
convertible top button can then be used to lower or raise
the convertible top.
If the power convertible top is operated multiple times,
the engine should be running to prevent drain on
the vehicle’s battery. Under certain conditions,
the Driver Information Center (DIC) may display a
message regarding the power top. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-57for more information.
If the battery has been disconnected, the power
windows must be initialized for the power top to operate.
SeePower Windows on page 2-17for more information.
2-72