🚨 2011 Audi RS5: Emergency Neutral
The 2011 RS5 (B8 platform) uses a traditional console-mounted automatic shifter with a side-button release and 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 parking brake is firmly set
- Turn ignition to ON (position II) if battery has any charge
- Locate the shift-lock override: small rectangular slot with a cover cap, located on the left side of the shifter base near the P position
- Remove the override cap by prying with a flat-blade screwdriver or similar tool
- Insert the cap removal tool, a key, or small screwdriver into the exposed override slot
- Press the tool down firmly into the slot to mechanically release the shift lock
- While holding the override tool down, press the side button on the shifter and move to N
Shift-lock override location
Left side of the shifter console base, near the P position gate, covered by a small rectangular cap approximately 15mm x 8mm
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery, the override slot provides full mechanical release. Insert tool and press down while moving shifter to N. No electrical power is required for the override mechanism itself, but you may need to manually release the electronic parking brake if equipped - this requires at least some 12V power.