🚨 2019 Acura RDX: Emergency Neutral
The 2019 RDX (third generation) introduced an electronic push-button gear selector system with no mechanical shift lock override.
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — cross-check against your owner’s manual when possible.
⚠️ Chock the wheels first — neutral means the car can roll. Set the parking brake while you work, never stand downhill of the vehicle, and try a 12-volt jump before any override: power fixes most stuck-in-park problems instantly.
The procedure
- Ensure the parking brake is firmly set and the vehicle is on level ground
- Attempt to jump-start the 12V battery - the push-button shifter requires electrical power to function
- Once the battery has sufficient charge, turn the ignition to ON
- Press the brake pedal and press the 'N' (Neutral) button on the gear selector panel
- If the 12V battery cannot be charged sufficiently, the vehicle CANNOT be shifted into Neutral without power
- In a complete power failure, the vehicle must be loaded onto a flatbed with all four wheels off the ground using a wheel dolly system
With zero electrical power
The 2019 RDX push-button shifter has NO mechanical override or bypass. Without 12V electrical power, the transmission cannot be shifted out of Park by any manual means. The vehicle must be transported on a flatbed with all four wheels lifted. Do not attempt to tow with any wheels on the ground - the transmission will remain locked in Park and damage will occur. A jump-start or battery replacement is mandatory to shift the vehicle.