🚨 2021 Chevrolet Colorado: Emergency Neutral
The 2021 Colorado uses a traditional console-mounted shifter lever with electronic shift lock.
🧰 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
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON position if battery has any charge remaining
- Locate the shift lock release cover - it is a small rectangular cap on the left side of the shifter base near the console
- Use a flathead screwdriver or similar tool to carefully pry off the shift lock release cover
- Insert the screwdriver or key into the exposed shift lock release slot and press down firmly
- While holding the release down, press the brake pedal (if power available) and move the shifter to Neutral
- If no power is available, continue holding the release down while manually moving the shifter to Neutral without pressing the brake
Shift-lock override location
Left side of the shifter base, under a small rectangular plastic cover near the console trim
With zero electrical power
With no 12V power, the shift lock can still be mechanically overridden using the release slot. The shifter will move to Neutral without needing to press the brake pedal when the override is pressed. You may need a working flashlight to see the release slot clearly.