GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

If your vehicle has a manual transmission, the shift lever is located on the center console between the front seats. The following explains how to operate the manual transmission.


Object Number: 829943  Size: A2

This is the shift pattern for your vehicle.

FIRST (1): Press the clutch and shift into FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. You can shift into FIRST (1) when you're going less than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you've come to a complete stop and it's hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift lever in NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press the clutch pedal back down. Then try shifting into FIRST (1) again.

SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal to the floor as you let up on the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.

THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), and FIFTH (5): Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way you do for SECOND (2). 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. Before the vehicle comes to a complete stop, press the clutch pedal and brake pedal, and shift into NEUTRAL.

NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you idle the engine.

REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up. Press the clutch pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. Use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake, when you park your vehicle. See Parking the Vehicle for more information. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, in order for you to remove the key from the ignition, you must press the key release button on the ignition switch. See "Key Release Button" under Ignition Positions for more information.

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.

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.

If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), 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 performance.