Chevrolet 2001 Corvette Owner's Manual page 96

Downshifting (Manual Transmission)
Do not downshift into the gear shown below at a speed
greater than shown in the table:
FIRST (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECOND (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THIRD (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FOURTH (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NOTICE:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, or if you race the engine when you
downshift, you can damage the clutch, driveshaft
or transmission.
2-34
50 mph (80 km/h)
74 mph (119 km/h)
101 mph (163 km/h)
130 mph (209 km/h)
-
The six speed transmission has a spring that centers the
gearshift lever near THIRD (3) and FOURTH (4). This
spring helps you know which gear you are in when you
are shifting. Be careful when shifting from FIRST (1) to
SECOND (2) or downshifting from SIXTH (6) to
FIFTH (5). The spring will try to pull the gearshift lever
toward FOURTH (4) and THIRD (3). Make sure you
move the lever into SECOND (2) or FIFTH (5). If you
let the gearshift lever move in the direction of the
pulling, you may end up shifting from FIRST (1) to
FOURTH (4) or from SIXTH (6) to THIRD (3).