If your vehicle has a manual transmission, the shift lever is located on the center console between the front seats. The following explains how to operate the manual transmission.

Five-Speed (CTS)

This is the shift pattern for the five-speed manual transmission.

FIRST (1): Press the clutch 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. Press the clutch pedal back down. Then try shifting into FIRST (1) again.

SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal to the floor 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.

THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), and FIFTH (5): Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way you do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the brake pedal. Before the vehicle comes to a complete stop, press the clutch pedal and brake pedal, and shift into NEUTRAL.

NEUTRAL: Use this position when you idle the engine.

REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up. Press the clutch pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. Use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake, when you park your vehicle. See Parking the Vehicle for more information. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, in order for you to remove the key from the ignition, you must press the key release button on the ignition switch. See "Key Release Button" under Ignition Positions for more information.

Six-Speed (CTS- V )

This is the shift pattern for the six-speed manual transmission.

Here is how to operate your 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 40 mph (64 km/h). If you 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. 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.

THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6): Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH  (5) and SIXTH (6) the same way you do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to NEUTRAL.

NEUTRAL: Use this position when you start or idle your engine. Your shift lever is in NEUTRAL when it is centered in the shift pattern, not in any gear.

REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.

Your six-speed manual transmission has a feature that allows you to safely shift into REVERSE (R) while the vehicle is rolling at less than 3 mph (5 km/h). You will be locked out if you try to shift into REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving faster than 3 mph (5 km/h). If you have turned your ignition off and wish to park your vehicle in REVERSE (R), you will have to move the shift lever quickly to the right, and immediately forward into gear.

Shift Speeds (Manual Transmission)

Caution: If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could lose control of the vehicle. You could injure yourself or others. Do not shift down more than one gear at a time when you downshift.

Notice: If you skip more than one gear when you downshift, or if you race the engine when you release the clutch pedal while downshifting, you could damage the engine, clutch, driveshaft or the transmission. Do not skip gears or race the engine when downshifting.

If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if the engine is not running smoothly, you should downshift to the next lower gear. You may have to downshift two or more gears to keep the engine running smoothly or for good performance.

Skip Shift (CTS- V )

14: This may appear in the message center in the speedometer during light throttle, low speed maneuvers.

You must complete the shift into FOURTH (4) to turn off this feature. This helps you get the best possible fuel economy.