I recently bought an automatic car. It has a button on the "stick" that says "hold".

I can't figure out what it actually does. Does anyone know?

I recently bought an automatic car. It has a button on the "stick" that says "hold".

I can't figure out what it actually does. Does anyone know?

It keeps the vehicle in the gear it is in when you press the button. It is useful if you are going down hill and you want to make use of 'engine braking'.

Prem, that's what I thought, but when I put it on hold, I can start from still and go right up to 150km/hr.

Prem, that's what I thought, but when I put it on hold, I can start from still and go right up to 150km/hr.

Perhaps it isn't working? What kind of motor is it?

Mazda 323 Astina

Mazda 323 Astina

Hi Neernam, I just did a "google" and it seems the hold button on the Mazda 323 is something like 'sport' mode on other automatic gearboxes. If you select any gear and press 'hold' it will keep the car in that gear beyond the normal auto change up point, but it will change up to the next ratio when the "red line" is approached. That would be why you can go from 0 - 150 kph whilst in 'hold'.

Hi Neernam, I just did a "google" and it seems the hold button on the Mazda 323 is something like 'sport' mode on other automatic gearboxes. If you select any gear and press 'hold' it will keep the car in that gear beyond the normal auto change up point, but it will change up to the next ratio when the "red line" is approached. That would be why you can go from 0 - 150 kph whilst in 'hold'.

Thanks a lot Prem. I guess i should have searched myself!

I get much better acceleration without the hold though.

my understanding is that the hold button simply 'holds' the car in each gear for a longer time, allowing the engine to go to a higher rev band before shifting gear. what this does is to help you utilise more of the power available in the engine as most engines reach peak power and torque around 4000 plus revs. this is most useful when overtaking on a highway because you dont want the car to shift to a higher gear and stop accelerating when you are halfway overtaking - it could be dangerous. so when overtaking, step down on the gas fast and the engine will shift down, then press hold, and you should get a prolonged acceleration.