Pontiac Sunbird Owner's Manual page 59

Features & Controls
Reverse
R (Reverse): Use this gear to back up.
Shifting to
R
(Reverse) while your
vehicle is moving forward could
damage your transaxle. Shift to
R
(Reverse) only after your vehicle
has stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice or sand without
damaging your transaxle, see the Index
under Ij' You 're Stuck:
In
Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow.
Neutral
N (Neutral): In this position, your
engine doesn't connect with the wheels.
To restart when you're already moving,
use N (Neutral) only. Also, use
N
(Neutral) when your vehicle is being
towed.
A
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) while your engine
is "racing" (running at high speed)
is dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Don't shift out
of
P (Park) or N (Neutral) while
your engine is racing.
...
58