Downshifting
with
Manual
Transmission
If
you wish
to
shift from one gear to the one imme-
diately lower in ratio, avoid dangerously overspeed-
ing
the engine
by
downshifting
as
follows:
I.
Watch
the
Tachometer-If
yo
ur
tach
is
orange-
zoned
at
5000 to 5300 rpm, you may downshift to
the
next
lower gear when
it
indicates 4000 to 4100
rpm.
If
your tach
is
red-zoned
at
6300 to 6500
rpm
, you may downshift to the
next
lower gear
at
4700 to 4900 rpm.
2.
Double-clutching reduces strain
on
engines
and
transmissions.
The
usual method of double-
clutching is:
Let
up
on
the throttle, disengage the clutch, shift
into neutral,
and
engage the clutch. Almost s
i-
multaneously, sp
ee
d
up
the engine, disengage the
clutch, shift into the next lower gear and
re-
engage the clutch while depressing the throttle.
With practice, this procedure becomes almost
second nature.
Driving
with
Positraction
The
positraction rear axle will give you constant
driving force
on
both
rear
wheels, especially helpful
in
the winter
and
during
other
slippery driving con-
ditions w
hi
ch might
stop
a conventionally
equipped
vehicle.
During
turns, the positraction axle applies
the major
dr
iving force to the inside rear wheel thus
improving stability
and
cornering.
Normal
light
thrott
le application will
supp
ly
maximum
traction.
When starting with one rear wheel on an excessively
slippery surface, slight application of the
parking
brake may be necessary momentarily to gain maxi-
mum traction.
Driving
with
Metallic
Brake
Linings
If
your Corvette
is
equipped
with
optional metallic
brake
lining
s,
you will find
that
somewhat
mo
re than
normal pedal pressure will
be
required to stop the car
until you have made several stops to warm
up
the
linings.