A colleague of mine has a 1995 Legacy and is wondering what the button in the middle of the centre console with the snowflake pattern and the text "Hold" is for and how to use it.

 

Is it an auto?

my dad's car (ok not a scoob, an omega) has a snowflake button and it's a high gear selector/kinda traction control for pulling away from standstill in very slippery conditions. don't think he's ever needed to use it and he goes off road often too (fields, muddy tracks etc.).

dunno if it's the same for a subaru but I guess the industry keeps the logo's standardised where possible.

 

Yes, it's an auto. Thanks for the info - I'll pass it along.

Damn - this board is good !

 

The snowflake button is for 'Winter' mode setting, i.e. the car starts off in 3rd gear.
As for the 'Hold' button, I'll have to check it in the manual.

 

what clarence said. my auto V6 cav had this, **** really.

 

on my leggy it was for taking the car out of park with the ignition turned of cause i could not take out the ignition key if the car was in any other position other than park (P)

 

Tis the same on the auto Impreza's, the snowflake ( nearer the handbrake) is for easier take off and general traction in snow and ice and the other button ( in front of the selector) is to allow your shifter to move out of park without keys.

You will notice that you can't select a gear (from standstill) in an Impreza auto without your foot on the brake (you can hear the release switch)by using this button you can.