1-4 Skip Shift clarification
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 7
From: Hollywood CA
1-4 Skip Shift clarification
Manual says once 1-4 light is on can't shift into anything but 4th or risk damage
I noticed the light flashes then goes off after 2000 rpm
Is the prohibition on shifting only to 4th, in effect when light is on solid or once it flashes???
Does it reset once clutch is pressed or out of gear?
Ps: I know about skip shift part; just want to know this functionality
I noticed the light flashes then goes off after 2000 rpm
Is the prohibition on shifting only to 4th, in effect when light is on solid or once it flashes???
Does it reset once clutch is pressed or out of gear?
Ps: I know about skip shift part; just want to know this functionality
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
As I understand it, RPM has nothing to do with it, except maybe coincidentally as it relates to the mph. In case you haven't seen it here is an explanation from Talon90:
The CAGS or computer aided gear selection is a carefully planned routine so that the Corvette does not have to have a gas guzzler tax. The CAGS "skip shift" will close a gate in the transmission so that under certain circumstances the car can only shift from first to fourth. The circumstances.
You must complete the shift into FOURTH (4) to turn off
this feature. This helps you get the best possible fuel
economy.
After shifting to FOURTH (4), you may downshift to a
lower gear if you prefer.
Notice: Forcing the shift lever into any gear except
FOURTH (4) when the 1 TO 4 SHIFT light comes
on may damage the transmission. Shift only from
FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) when the light comes on.
This light will come on when:
• The engine coolant temperature is higher than
169°F (76°C),
• the vehicle is going 15 to 19 mph (24 to 31 km/h) and
• the vehicle 21 percent throttle or less.
You must complete the shift into FOURTH (4) to turn off
this feature. This helps you get the best possible fuel
economy.
After shifting to FOURTH (4), you may downshift to a
lower gear if you prefer.
Notice: Forcing the shift lever into any gear except
FOURTH (4) when the 1 TO 4 SHIFT light comes
on may damage the transmission. Shift only from
FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) when the light comes on.
This light will come on when:
• The engine coolant temperature is higher than
169°F (76°C),
• the vehicle is going 15 to 19 mph (24 to 31 km/h) and
• the vehicle 21 percent throttle or less.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 8
From: Clearwater Florida
I disabled mine by replacing the fuse with a blown fuse soon after buying the car. However, I recall that if you rev higher in 1st, you can shift into 2nd. If you are doggin' it and accelerating slowly, the unit will not allow shifting into 2nd. A pure PITA that serves one purpose, boosting the federal fuel mileage numbers and avoiding gas guzzler taxes on some GM cars. Disable the CAGS, and forget about it.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,360
Likes: 543
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
Had a cags in my C5. In my C6 I very seldom encounter the lock out. I am so use to it now that I can sense when the lock out will engage so I simply let go of the shifter which naturally places the shifter into the neutral position. Apparently that ends the lock out, I then shift normally into second gear. Works for me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 173
From: Scottsdale AZ
St. Jude Donor '11
From first to second, simply blip the throttle to get the RPM's above 2000 RPM. Don't worry. You aren't over-reving. Below 2000 RPM the "nanny" control sets in and forces you to fourth.
I've had four M6 Corvettes, and never purchased the add-on thing. Once you get the feel, you can keep the revs up high enough to avoid the 1st to 4th insanity.
I've done it for so long, I don't even know I'm doing it anymore! And didn't spend a dime on some stupid add-on.
I've had four M6 Corvettes, and never purchased the add-on thing. Once you get the feel, you can keep the revs up high enough to avoid the 1st to 4th insanity.
I've done it for so long, I don't even know I'm doing it anymore! And didn't spend a dime on some stupid add-on.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 772
Likes: 4
From: Ottawa ON
I shift to 4th even when the light doesn't tell me to, sometimes in 3rd. I only use 2nd gear on really hard acceleration. I feel no need to disable this skip shift. Maybe the car is too new to me and I don't find it annoying yet? 
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: NJ
100%Not a big deal in the LS3, as far as I remember it never actually bothered me. You either do what EyeMaster says or you give it more gas and the light will disappear immediately. I'm not sure if there is a problem with earlier LS2's though.
Last edited by Ed32; Sep 13, 2011 at 10:39 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 7
From: Hollywood CA
OK, thanks for input.
So to super-clarify:
If 1-4 Light comes on I just give more gas till it goes off, and shift into 2nd.
If 1-4 light is on, and stays on solid, I MUST shift into 4th.
So to super-clarify:
If 1-4 Light comes on I just give more gas till it goes off, and shift into 2nd.
If 1-4 light is on, and stays on solid, I MUST shift into 4th.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 390
Likes: 9
From: Bloomington MN
I found that you can go to third rather than 4th when the gate is closed for second. It's a little better.
I put in the skip shift eliminator last weekend and LOVE IT. Although the forced 1-4 was not a huge deal, it was a bit of a pita in slow traffic.
I put in the skip shift eliminator last weekend and LOVE IT. Although the forced 1-4 was not a huge deal, it was a bit of a pita in slow traffic.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 105
Likes: 17
From: Atlanta, GA
It used to be that you locked out CAGS by installing a little inline resistor to the lockout solenoid. Am I understandign you guys that it is now ECU controlled?
When I had my T-56 in my fbody, until I installed the CAGS eliminator, I would slide it into 4th and promptly to 2nd prior to releasing the clutch.
When I had my T-56 in my fbody, until I installed the CAGS eliminator, I would slide it into 4th and promptly to 2nd prior to releasing the clutch.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: NJ
maybe it happens if you r driving in heavy traffic, in that case I would only shift to 4th.
Last edited by Ed32; Sep 13, 2011 at 11:00 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 4
From: Henderson Nevada
Sorry, but I think everyone is making this seem more complex than it really is...
When starting from a stop, don't shift to second until you are going 20 MPH or more. Skip shift will never be activated, you'll save a lot of shifting in stop and go traffic, and you don't need to modify anything. I've owned 10 Vettes with skip shift, and I can't remember the last time I encountered it.
When starting from a stop, don't shift to second until you are going 20 MPH or more. Skip shift will never be activated, you'll save a lot of shifting in stop and go traffic, and you don't need to modify anything. I've owned 10 Vettes with skip shift, and I can't remember the last time I encountered it.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 633
Likes: 13
From: Hurley New York
Same here I go into 3rd when it locks me out of 2nd.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,273
Likes: 8,545
From: Rochester, NY
Sums it up.Sorry, but I think everyone is making this seem more complex than it really is...
When starting from a stop, don't shift to second until you are going 20 MPH or more. Skip shift will never be activated, you'll save a lot of shifting in stop and go traffic, and you don't need to modify anything. I've owned 10 Vettes with skip shift, and I can't remember the last time I encountered it.
When starting from a stop, don't shift to second until you are going 20 MPH or more. Skip shift will never be activated, you'll save a lot of shifting in stop and go traffic, and you don't need to modify anything. I've owned 10 Vettes with skip shift, and I can't remember the last time I encountered it.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I disabled mine by replacing the fuse with a blown fuse soon after buying the car. However, I recall that if you rev higher in 1st, you can shift into 2nd. If you are doggin' it and accelerating slowly, the unit will not allow shifting into 2nd. A pure PITA that serves one purpose, boosting the federal fuel mileage numbers and avoiding gas guzzler taxes on some GM cars. Disable the CAGS, and forget about it.
I understand why GM put this 'feature' in the car but I find skip-shifting annoying and unnatural. I had the skip-shift feature eliminated via tuning when I modified the car but in the 11 months or so I drove the car in its stock configuration I think the skip-shift feature only engaged twice. The skip-shift feature is annoying but it's not something that engages often in normal driving. Self-inflicted skip-shifting I just don't understand at all.