Chevrolet 2002 Corvette Owner's Manual page 92

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 engine, 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).