What does the hold button do on the shifter handle on a Mazda MX-6 with automatic trans. ?

Question

Also there is a place for a key beside the shifter which says shift lock, what does that do?

Answer 1

The shift lock is for releasing the lock on the shifter, in other words it allows you to take the car out of park if for some reason you loose battery power. You just put your key in the hole and shift it out of park

Answer 2

don't know about the key

the hold button keeps it in the gear you are currently in