Pontiac 2002 Firebird - Manual (Page 97)

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Six-Speed
This is the shift pattern
for the six
- speed
manual transmission.
Here’s how to operate your transmission:
FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal 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 down. Then shift into FIRST (1).
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal 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), FIFTH (5) and
SIXTH (6): Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4),
FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6) gear 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. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and brake pedal, and shift to NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL: Use this position when you start or idle
your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, press the clutch pedal and
shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal
slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal. If you shift
from SIXTH (6) into REVERSE (R), the shift lever
must be first placed in NEUTRAL position centered
between SECOND (2) and THIRD (3) prior to shifting
into REVERSE (R).
Your six - speed manual transmission has a feature that
allows you to safely shift into REVERSE (R) while the
vehicle is rolling at less than 5 mph (8 km/h).
If you have turned your ignition off and want to
park your vehicle in REVERSE (R), you will have to
move the shift lever quickly to the right, then forward
into gear.