🚨 2016 BMW M5 F10: Emergency Neutral
The F10 M5 uses a traditional electronic console-mounted gear selector lever with Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive positions.
✓ Expert-verified by Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — master technicians, 20+ years each.
⚠️ 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 a level surface and apply the parking brake if functional.
- Turn the ignition to accessory mode (press START/STOP without pressing the brake pedal twice) to provide power to the shifter electronics.
- Press and hold the brake pedal.
- Move the gear selector from Park to Neutral by pulling the lever rearward once.
- If the shifter will not move electrically, locate the shift lock override access panel.
- Remove the small trim cap on the left side of the gear selector base (driver's side of the shifter assembly) by gently prying it with a flat tool.
- Insert a small flathead screwdriver or key into the exposed override slot and press down firmly.
- While holding the override down, press the brake pedal and move the gear selector to Neutral.
- Release the override and verify the vehicle is in Neutral on the instrument cluster.
- The vehicle can now be pushed or rolled - do NOT attempt to tow with rear wheels on the ground due to the rear-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive system.
Shift-lock override location
Small trim cap on the left (driver's) side of the gear selector base; override slot is directly beneath this cap.
With zero electrical power
With no electrical power at all, the electronic shifter cannot be moved even with the override. You must jump-start the 12V battery or connect an external power source to at least accessory mode to release the shifter lock. Once minimal power is available, use the override procedure above.