What does the 'hold' button on a car mean?
3 Answers
Hold on a car refers to the auto hold system, which can adjust the optimal driving state according to different road conditions. It effectively prevents frequent gear shifting on poor road surfaces and serves as a forced downshift function during overtaking. When pressing the hold button in D gear, the transmission will maintain second, third, or fourth gear. Automatic transmission vehicles typically use hydraulic transmission devices to replace the mechanical clutch of manual transmission vehicles, hence there is no clutch pedal. When the engine speed is low, the torque transmitted by the fluid is limited and insufficient to propel the car forward. When the gear lever is placed in the forward gear and the brake pedal is released, as the throttle is applied and the engine speed increases, the transmitted torque grows, pushing the car forward.
Every time I stop at a red light, I love using this HOLD button—it's like a thoughtful little assistant. Just come to a complete stop and press the brake pedal firmly, and once the 'HOLD' indicator lights up on the dashboard, you can take your foot off the brake. The system automatically locks the brakes, so there's no need to shift gears or pull the handbrake. When the light turns green, just press the accelerator to go—no rolling back on hills, and it's a lifesaver in traffic jams! But friends driving older cars should note: this feature only works with electronic parking brakes; cars with mechanical handbrakes can't use it.
Last time I drove my friend's new car, I realized how smart this feature really is. The principle is that the vehicle's computer takes over the braking system, working in conjunction with wheel speed sensors and the electronic stability program to automatically maintain braking force the moment the wheels come to a complete stop. It's linked to the electronic parking brake but not exactly the same, as it's dynamic parking—unlike traditional handbrakes that require manual release. It's especially stable when starting on snowy or rainy slopes, eliminating worries about rolling back and hitting the car behind. A must-have feature for new drivers.
