[Paul22]

The 'L' button - I've since discovered by trial and error - given there's no mention of this in the owner's manual - does two things.

Firstly if you press it when slowing down it selects a lower gear and then if you apply the brake pedal it selects another (indeterminate) lower gear.

The other thing it does is it prevents the transmission from up-shifting (although I haven't red-lined it).

Presumably this is to prevent the transmission from selecting too high a gear on long hills.

Bizarre at best, ergonomically stupid at worst.

Ford Motor Co do not accept any responsibility for this and will not supply a supplemental leaflet, to the owner's manual, to properly explain the operation.

Bottom line; you bought it you wear it!

There's an element of dishonesty regarding this - a trait for which this company ( I'm afraid is well known).