🚨 2020 Chevrolet Impala: Emergency Neutral
The 2020 Impala has a traditional floor-mounted console shifter 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 vehicle is on a flat surface and the parking brake is firmly applied
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON position if battery has any charge remaining
- Locate the shift lock override slot—it is a small rectangular opening with a plastic cover directly forward and to the left of the shifter base on the console
- Use a flathead screwdriver or similar tool to pry off the small plastic cover
- Insert a key, screwdriver, or similar tool into the override slot and press down firmly
- While holding the override down, press the brake pedal (if power available) and move the shifter to Neutral
- If no brake pressure is available, continue holding the override down and pull the shifter rearward to Neutral
- Keep the override tool in place until the shifter is fully in Neutral position
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular slot with plastic cover located forward and to the left of the shifter base on the center console
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery, the override slot still functions mechanically—insert tool, press down, and manually move shifter to Neutral without needing to press brake pedal. The parking brake is manual cable-operated and will hold regardless of battery state.