2008 Pontiac Solstice Owner's Manual - Page 80

FOURTH (4): This position is also used for normal driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed more than DRIVE (D) without using your brakes. You might choose FOURTH (4) instead of DRIVE (D) when driving on hilly, winding roads and when going down a steep hill. INTERMEDIATE (I): This position is also used for normal driving. However, it reduces the vehicle's speed without using your brakes, for slight downgrades where the vehicle would otherwise accelerate due to steepness of grade. If constant upshifting or downshifting occurs while driving on steep hills, this position can be used to prevent repetitive types of shifts. You might choose INTERMEDIATE (I) instead of DRIVE (D) when driving on hilly and winding roads. LOW (L): This position reduces vehicle speed more than INTERMEDIATE (I) without using your brakes. You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in LOW (L), the transmission will not shift into low gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough. Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transmission. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place. Manual Transmission Operation This is the shift pattern for a manual transmission. Here is how to operate your manual transmission: FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal and shift into FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. You can shift into FIRST (1) when you are going less than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift lever in NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch pedal. Press the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1). SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. 2-24