🚨 2007 Acura TL: Emergency Neutral
The 2007 TL uses a traditional floor-mounted console shifter with electronic shift lock controlled by the brake-light switch.
🧰 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
- Set the parking brake firmly and chock the wheels.
- Turn the ignition to ON (II) position if battery has any charge remaining.
- Locate the shift lock override slot: it is a small rectangular opening with a plastic cover directly to the left of the shifter base on the console.
- Use a flat-head screwdriver or the metal key blade to pry off the small plastic cover cap.
- Insert the screwdriver or key fully into the slot and press down firmly while simultaneously pulling the shifter button and moving the shifter to Neutral.
- If moving to a flatbed, you may continue to Park if needed, but Neutral is sufficient for winching.
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular slot with plastic cover directly to the left of the shifter base on the center console.
With zero electrical power
With zero electrical power, the shift lock override is purely mechanical and will still function. Insert the key or screwdriver into the override slot and press down while shifting—no battery power is required for this override mechanism to release the shifter.