Hi, I just purchased a 1997 Montero LS that I am planning to fix up a little. Anyway I really have no clue what the hold button does, its located on the center conceal behind gear selector lever.

I press it and a light in the dash comes on that says "hold" but no other effect is noticed.

Obviously this is my first Montero.

Thank you for any input.

Aren

Hold is used in low traction situations like snow/ice and allows you to start in 2nd gear versus 1st which gets you better traction.

If your rig doesn't come with an owners manual its worthwhile to find one on eBay. I got mine on there for only $30 or so and it was in very good condition.

i have also found mine to be useful going up hills so i dont roll back and have to restart.

Rolling backward on hills? Huh?

I was not aware that the "hold" function was offered on manual transmission vehicles, which would be the only function I could think of that could help keep a vehicle from rolling backwards in that situation.

Ray, I think the wording you were looking for was "it forces the automatic transmission to start in second gear." It will not downshift to first, even from a stop. That reduces the available torque to the driving wheel/wheels and enables the vehicle to get moving in slippery conditions. In a sense, it "holds" the transmission from getting into first.

Some years of Gen 2 models have a "power" setting as well. Same gears; just makes shift points on both upshifting and downshifting more aggressive and seems to firm up the shifts themselves. My '95 will downshift earlier and upshift later while in this setting. Makes driving in hilly terrain more tolerable, particularly with the cruise control on, as the c.c. will disengage if the vehicle speed drops below about 10 mph from the set point.

John B.

Okay, thanks guys that answers my question perfectly!

Not sure how often I'll use it but its nice to know what it does.

LOL! I Didn't even realize my 95 SR had this function until recently when I accidently engaged the Power function. At first I thought I was crazy, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />Then I thought the tranny was dying. Definately shifts differently in the power setting. Probaly be good if pulling a trailer. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

i thought it was to make the cup holder open