2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE engine

Manual Transmission Operation
This is the shift pattern
for the six-speed manual
transmission.
Here is how to operate the transmission:
1 (First):Press the clutch pedal and shift into 1 (First).
Then slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into 1 (First) when you are going less than
40 mph (64 km/h). If you come to a complete stop and it
is hard to shift into 1 (First), put the shift lever in Neutral
and let up on the clutch. Press the clutch pedal back
down. Then shift into 1 (First).2 (Second):Press the clutch pedal as you let up
on the accelerator pedal and shift into 2 (Second).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth) and 6 (Sixth):Shift into
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth) and 6 (Sixth) the same
way you do for 2 (Second). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to Neutral.
Neutral:Use this position when you start or idle the
engine. The shift lever is in Neutral when it is centered
in the shift pattern, not in any gear.
R (Reverse):To back up, press down the clutch pedal
and shift into R (Reverse). Just apply pressure to get the
lever past 5 (Fifth) and 6 (Sixth) into R (Reverse). Let up
on the clutch pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator
pedal.
The six-speed manual transmission has a feature that
allows you to safely shift into R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is rolling at less than 3 mph (5 km/h). You will be
locked out if you try to shift into R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving faster than 3 mph (5 km/h).
2-30

Shift Speeds (Manual Transmission)
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could
lose control of the 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 the 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
1 (First) to 4 (Fourth)
instead of 1 (First) to
2 (Second).
SeeOne-to-Four Shift Light (Manual Transmission) on
page 3-38for more information.
2-31

Downshifting (Manual Transmission)
Do not downshift into the gear shown below at a speed
greater than shown in the table:
1 (First) 50 mph (80 km/h)
2 (Second) 74 mph (119 km/h)
3 (Third) 101 mph (163 km/h)
4 (Fourth) 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 3 (Third) and 4 (Fourth). This spring helps
you know which gear you are in when you are shifting.
Be careful when shifting from 1 (First) to 2 (Second) or
downshifting from 6 (Sixth) to 5 (Fifth). The spring will try
to pull the shift lever toward 4 (Fourth) and 3 (Third).
Make sure you move the lever into 2 (Second) or
5 (Fifth). If you let the shift lever move in the direction
of the pulling, you may end up shifting from 1 (First) to
4 (Fourth) or from 6 (Sixth) to 3 (Third).
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 the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal set the parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-32for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) 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 the 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 the vehicle with the engine running,
be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brake is
rmly set before you leave it. After you have moved the
shift lever into P (Park), hold down the regular brake
pedal. See if you can move the shift lever away from
P (Park) without rst pushing the button on the lever.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully
locked into P (Park).
2-33

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that
can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and even death.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
The vehicle idles in areas with poor ventilation
(parking garages, tunnels, deep snow that
may block underbody airow or tail pipes).
The exhaust smells or sounds strange or
different.
The exhaust system leaks due to corrosion or
damage.
The vehicle’s exhaust system has been
modied, damaged or improperly repaired.
There are holes or openings in the
vehicle body from damage or after-market
modications that are not completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or if it is suspected
that exhaust is coming into the vehicle:
Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
Have the vehicle repaired immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the engine running in an
enclosed area such as a garage or a building that
has no fresh air ventilation.
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 a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For more information,
seeEngine Exhaust on page 2-35.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if
the automatic transmission shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake rmly set. The
vehicle can roll. Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake
and move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-33.
2-36

Notice:If you lower the top on your vehicle in cold
weather (0°F/-18°C or lower), you may damage top
components. Do not lower the top in cold weather.
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 P (Park) or a manual transmission
in N (Neutral) before raising or lowering the
convertible top.
Lowering the Power Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface. Start the engine. Shift an
automatic transmission into P (Park) and set the
parking brake. Shift a manual transmission
into N (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 2-52.3. 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.
2-67

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 3-54for more information.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 P (Park) or a manual
transmission in N (Neutral) before raising or
lowering the convertible top.
1. Park on a level surface. Start the engine. Shift
an automatic transmission into P (Park) and set
the parking brake. Shift a manual transmission
into N (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 2-52.
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.
2-68