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🚨 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8: Emergency Neutral

The 2012 300 SRT8 uses a floor-mounted console shifter with electronic shift lock tied to the brake pedal.

🧰 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

  1. Ensure the vehicle is on level ground and parking brake is set
  2. Turn ignition to ACC or ON position if battery has any charge remaining
  3. Locate the small rectangular shift lock override slot - it is on the left side of the shifter base, under a small removable cap
  4. Remove the cap by prying gently with a flat-blade screwdriver or your fingernail
  5. Insert a small flat-blade screwdriver, key, or similar tool into the override slot and push down firmly
  6. While holding the override down, press the shifter button and move the shifter to Neutral
  7. If override does not engage, verify the tool is fully inserted and applying downward pressure on the interlock mechanism
Shift-lock override location
Left side of shifter base, under a small rectangular cap approximately 1 inch from the shifter lever itself
With zero electrical power
With zero electrical power, the override slot still functions mechanically. You may need to use a flashlight to locate the slot. The shifter button must still be pressed while using the override.
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