GMC 1996 Sonoma Owner's Manual page 66

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 (I), put the shift'
lever in NEUTRAL (N) and let up on the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal back 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, FOURTH AND FIFTH (3,4 and
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. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL (N).
NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
idle your engine.
REVERSE
(R):
To back up, press the clutch pedal
down, wait about six seconds, then shift into
REVERSE (R). Then let up on the clutch pedal
slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
I
NOTICE:
r
Shift to REVERSE
(R)
only after your vehicle is
stopped. Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving could damage your transmission.
Use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake, for
parking your vehicle.
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