Pontiac 1997 Grand Am Owner's Manual page 81

REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
NOTICE:
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped. Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving could damage your transaxle.
Also, use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake,
for parking your vehicle.
Shift Speeds
A
CAUTION:
-
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle.
And you could injure yourself or others. Don't
shift from FIFTH (5) to SECOND (2) or from
FOURTH (4) to FIRST (1).
2-26