Pontiac 2001 Firebird Owner's Manual page 103

If your speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if the
engine is not running smoothly, you should downshift to
the next lower gear. You may have to downshift two or
more gears to keep the engine running smoothly or for
good performance.
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
or transmission.
Skip Shift Light (5.7L V8 Engine)
Once you are in FOURTH (4), you can press the clutch
again and shift into another gear.
This feature helps you get the best possible fuel economy.
When the SKIP SHIFT light
is on, the gearshift lever
will let you shift from
FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4)
instead of shifting from
FIRST (1) to SECOND (2).
It will come on under these conditions:
D
The engine coolant temperature is greater than
_ _
170 F (77 C),
D
you are going 15 to 20 mph (24 to 32 km/h) and
D
you are at 35 percent throttle or less.
Follow the shift speeds listed below when the SKIP
SHIFT light is on.
-
Computer Aided Manual Transmission Shift Speeds
D
1st to 4th @ 15 mph (24 km/h)
D
4th to 5th @ 25 mph (40 km/h)*
D
5th to 6th @ 49 mph (64 km/h)**
Each time you come to a stop, the engine's Powertrain
Control Module (PCM) determines when to activate the
skip shift upshift system. The skip shift upshift system is
bypassed when you accelerate very quickly from a stop.
*30 mph (48 km/h) when accelerating to
highway speeds.
**45 mph (72 km/h) when accelerating to
highway speeds.
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