GT auto transmission question

[Trent Corbett]

I have a 92 GT Legacy with auto transmission. On the side of the shifter
there is a button marked 'MANUAL' - can anyone tell me what this does or why
I would want to use it?

I've given it a push a couple of times on the open road, and it has shifted
the transmission up a gear, but it does not seem to be consistent.

 

[johninKY]

Could be wrong but I think if this button is depressed when 1st gear is
selected, the transmission will only upshift to 2nd gear, or it may not
upshift at all.

 

[Rat]

I have a 92 GT Legacy with auto transmission. On the side of the shifter
there is a button marked 'MANUAL' - can anyone tell me what this does or why
I would want to use it?

I've given it a push a couple of times on the open road, and it has shifted
the transmission up a gear, but it does not seem to be consistent.

It is for low traction situations. Pushing in the manual button will
skip 1st gear from a stop - making the car start in second to reduce
torque and possible wheel spin.