1998 Chevrolet Express Van Owner's Manual - Page 94

I A CAUTION: Shifting out of PARK (P) orNEUTRAL (N)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 of PARK (P) or out is NEUTRAL (N) while your engine racing. Going about 35 mph (55 k m h ) or more, push the accelerator all the waydown. You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power. You should use DRIVE (D) (or, as you need to, a lower gear) when towing a trailer to minimize heat build-up and extend the life of your transmission. THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel economy than DRIVE (D). You should use THIRD (3) when carrying a heavy load or driving on steep hills. NOTICE: Damage to your transmission caused by shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine racing isn't covered by your warranty. DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and you're: Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your accelerator pedal about halfwaydown. SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would want to use also your brakes off and If you manually select on. SECOND (2), the transmission will drive in SECOND (2). You may use this feature for reducing torque to the rear wheels when you are trying to start your vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces. FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power (but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the selector lever is put in FIRST( ), the transmission 1 won't shift into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.