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Downshifting with
Manual Transmission
If
you wish
to
shift
from
one gear
to the
one
imme-
diately
lower
in
ratio,
avoid
dangerously overspeed-
ing the
engine
by
downshifting
as
follows:
I.
Watch the Tachometer-If your
tach
is
orange-
zoned
at
5000 to
5300 rpm, you
may downshift to
the next lower gear when
it
indicates 4000 to 4100
rpm.
If your
tach is
red-zoned at
6300
to 6500
rpm,
you
may downshift to the
next
lower
gear at
4700 to 4900 rpm.
2. Double-clutching
reduces strain
on engines and
transmissions.
The usual method
of
double-
clutching is:
Let
up on the throttle, disengage
the clutch,
shift
into neutral,
and engage the
clutch. Almost
si-
multaneously,
speed
up the engine, disengage the
clutch, shift
into
the next
lower
gear
and
re-
engage the
clutch
while depressing
the throttle.
With
practice,
this procedure
becomes
almost
second
nature.
Driving with Positraction
The positraction
rear axle will give you
constant
driving force
on
both
rear wheels, especially
helpful
in the
winter and
during
other slippery driving con-
ditions which might stop
a conventionally equipped
vehicle. During
turns,
the positraction
axle
applies
the major
driving force
to the inside
rear
wheel
thus
improving
stability and cornering. Normal
light
throttle application will supply maximum traction.
When starting
with
one
rear
wheel on an excessively
slippery surface, slight application of the
parking
brake
may be
necessary momentarily
to
gain
maxi-
mum traction.
Driving with
Metallic Brake Linings
If your Corvette is
equipped with optional metallic
brake
linings, you
will
find that
somewhat more
than
normal pedal pressure will
be
required
to
stop the
car
until
you have
made
several stops to warm
up the
linings.
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