1997 Chevrolet Corvette Owner's Manual - Page 81

The six-speed transmission has a spring that centers the shift levernear THIRD (3) and FOURTH (4). This spring helpsyou know which gear you are in when you are shifting. Becareful when shifting from FIRST (1) to SECOND (2) or downshifting from SIXTH (6) to FIFTH (5). The springs will try to pull the gearshift lever toward FOURTH (4) and THIRD (3). Make sure you move the lever intoSECOND (2) or FIFTH (5). If you let thelever move in the direction of the pulling, you may end up shifting from FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) or from SIXTH (6) to THIRD (3). Parking Brake ~~ If you skip more than one gear when you downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle. And you could injure yourself others. Don't or shift from SIXTH (6) to THIRD(3), FIFTH (5) to SECOND (2) or FOURTH (4) to FIRST(1). To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down. Pull the parking brake lever. This sets your parking brake. If the ignition ison, the brake system warning light will come on.