I bought a car recently in great condition, but there's a button missing and I don't know what it is.?

Question

I recently bought an Automatic 2000 Ford Focus off of CraigsList.com and went in person to see the car. It was in great shape with a few minor repairs needed here and there.

I didn't, however, notice that, by the the shift stick (or whatever the park and drive stick is called.) there's a small hole where it seems a button would've been. There's a movable piece beneath the hole that would suggest it used to be some kind of button. It's toward the bottom right of the panel. I'm not sure what it is or how to find out without going to a dealer and I'm too paranoid to press it while I'm driving just in case. Does anybody know what it is or where I can find out?

Answer 1

it sounds like an overdrive button.  I suggest taking it to a body shop.. More times than not they can get the pieces

Answer 2

Sounds like the shift lock release mechanism.  I'm willing to bet that with the key out of the ignition, if you press down on that little movable part you'll be able to shift from PARK.  

Answer 3

That's the ejector seat button. That must be the one and only focus to have one....Be careful, only use in an emergency.

Answer 4

either the Overdrive or the traction control

Answer 5

This would be the overdrive engage/disengage button,it is used if you tow something...This button bypasses the overdrive,making the car shift 1 less time. Press it while driving slow,and you should see a O/D light come on in the gauge cluster.

Answer 6

Thats the shift interlock manual override.  If the vehicles battery goes dead, you won't be able to shift it out of gear since the solenoid that "unlocks" the shifter so your able to move it out of park is electrically controlled.  Pushing down on that button with a ball point pen will allows you to move the shifter manually.