I have a 1992 Mazda Protege DX 1.8L Automatic. I'm just curious about the "HOLD" button on the Shifter. In what situations would it normally be used. Thanks.

 

The hold button is usually (from what i have read) for "traction" purposes. Only thing I think it does is use a certain gear and lets the computer know not to let the engine revv higher than 3000 rpm's. It can also be used as an engine asisted braking if you throw it in to first gear (automatic) and press the hold button, but I heard that people messed their tranny's up like that!

I used to use it when it rains (depends on the way u drive) but I adjusted the way i drove it so my front wheels don't spin when i turn.


Someone correct me if I'm wrong :-)

Earl

 

I always thought that was basically an overdrive gear??

 

It "holds" the certain gear that you are in. Say you put your automatic down into 1st gear. With the hold button pressed in and the hold light lit on your guage cluster, your transmission would hold that gear until you moved the gear shifter to second. Grant it, it is not a clean transition from 1st to 2nd but it is the closest an auto can get to the manual. Don't over use this feature, cause it can damage your transmission. But with new automatic transmission fluid, you should be able to play around with it for a while.

 

i use the hold button when i want to passed somebody on the highway.

 

dont use the hold button in 1st gear. it confuses the ECU from what i heard. and plus dont shift in an auto. lotta people been gettin their car messed up. the HOLD button is just an overdrive, and it supposively saves gas in city driving where u drive around the speed of 40 and speed up and slow down constantly. it saves gas by not having to shift to 4th gear. it just goes 1, 2, 3. while u are in 4 gear, u can press the hold button and it'll downshift to 3rd and u can use this for engine braking or for a lil pickup.

btw, i got the car with a slippin tranny. and i manual shifted and that joint died in 2 weeks. so dont use the hold button or shift in an auto.

my 2 cents

-phil

 

I dont think it's an "overdrive" cause isnt over drive suppose to give u better mileage, and better gas consumption?

If it does hold it at one gear, that means that the engine will have to rev to higher rmp's to increase the speed without changin gears, right? Thus, since the engine is at higher rpm's , uses more gas??

Correct me if i wrong.

Earl

 

I know one thing though - if u throw that bitch in 1st (automatic) and hit the hold button - it will jolt the crap out of u ... it like throwin it in reverse in another car ... Mine can stop me on a hill though about a 25% incline!

 

Well don't downshift in an automatic. Only us it from the stop. When you are stopped, then shift it into 1st. Only use it to get a quicker start off the line and then to hold your higher rpm's. Just my opinion.

 

Thats what I usually do is downshift - now that i know its not good, i wont do that again .... hehe

I travel alot near big hills and inclines, declines i mean, and hate riding my brake - i guess i'll just have to ride my brake - (rather pay 30 bucks to get new brake pads then 1200 for a new tranny... lol)

Earl

 

Read your manual..Ive read so many ppl wreck their tranny's using the hold as a brake even in good driving conditions.

The only time I use the hold button is during winter for climbing and going down hills and starting from a complete stop.

You also have to treat it like a manual tranny when you have it depressed. shifting to 1st is ideal for speeds from 0-30km/h, 2 = 30 - 50km/h and 3 is 50-80km/h. If you go beyond that, you'll notice your engine is revving too much. And same when you are shifting down...make sure your speed is ideal for the gear so you don't shift from 80km/h down to 20km/h in one move.