🚨 2022 Audi A8: Emergency Neutral
The 2022 Audi A8 (D5 generation) uses an electronic console-mounted shifter lever with shift-lock interlock controlled by the brake switch and vehicle electronics.
🧰 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 vehicle is on level ground and the parking brake is firmly engaged.
- Turn the ignition to ON position if 12V power is available (this may allow normal shifting with brake pedal depressed).
- If the shifter remains locked, locate the shift lock override slot on the left side of the shifter base, beneath a small rectangular cap marked with a key symbol.
- Use a small flathead screwdriver or the metal key blade to pry off the override cap gently.
- Insert the key blade or screwdriver into the override slot and press down firmly while simultaneously pressing the shifter button and moving the shifter to neutral.
- If successful, the shifter will release and move to N; keep the override depressed until the shifter is fully in neutral position.
- The vehicle can now be pushed or winched onto a flatbed with the shifter in neutral.
Shift-lock override location
On the left side of the shifter base, beneath a small rectangular cap with a key symbol
With zero electrical power
With zero 12V power, the electronic shifter remains locked and the shift lock override must be used. The override is purely mechanical and does not require electrical power. Ensure the parking brake is engaged before beginning, as brake lights and warning systems will be inoperative. You may need to manually release the electronic parking brake using the emergency release procedure (separate process involving fuse panel access).