GMC 2003 Sierra - Manual (Page 121)

Shift Speeds
A CAUTION:
II you aklp & gear when you downshift, you
coufd lose control oi your vehicle. You could
injure yourseJF or others. Don't shift down
more than one gear at a time when you
downshift.
Do not allow the engtne rpm to overspeed ar>d enter the
tachcmeler red lines. Engine overspeed occurs vvhen
downshifting, or descending a grade, al loo high a
vehicle speed When going down sleep grades, always
seJeci a gear at taasi one position lower lhan you
would use on cUmbing a grade. This will allow the
vehicle's engine lo provide some braking and help to
slow tha vehicle as It goes down the grade, lyionitor your
vehicle speed, accoieralion and engine rpm while
applying the brakes as you go down the grade lo ansura
you have complete control over the vehicle.
If your engine speod drops below 600 rpm, or II Ihe
engine is not running smoothly, you should downshifl lo
the next lower gear. When operating on slippery
surfaces, downshift at lower lhan normal vehicle speeds
to prevent the tires from slipping.
\n bench seat equipped vehicles, move the talfesl
beverage conlainers lo the right cupholdar to provide
additional clearance ior the shift lever.
For vehicles equipped with a cenier console, The Irani
cup holder pulls out and turns 180" to próvida addilionat
dea ranсe between tall beverage corttalners and the
shift lever.
Shift Light
If you have a manual
trartsmissloii, you may
have a SHIFT light. This
light will show you when to
shift lo the next higher
gear for best fuel economy^
When this Ughi comes on, you can shift to the next
higher gear if weather, joad and iraiTrc conditions
allow For Ihe besl fuel economy, accelerate stowly
and shift when the lighi comes on.
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