🚨 2019 Citroën C1 III: Emergency Neutral
The C1 III uses a conventional floor-mounted automatic shifter with a button on the front of the shift knob and an electronic shift lock.
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — details like the exact override location may vary by trim; verify visually before prying anything.
⚠️ 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 engaged and the vehicle is on level ground
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON position if battery has any charge remaining
- Firmly press and hold the brake pedal
- Press the button on the front of the shift knob and move the shifter to Neutral
- If the shifter will not release from Park, locate the shift lock override slot near the shifter base
- Remove the small rectangular cover panel on the left side of the shifter surround (toward the driver's side)
- Insert a small flathead screwdriver or the key blade into the override slot and press down firmly
- While holding the override down, press the shifter button and move to Neutral
- Remove the tool and replace the cover panel
Shift-lock override location
Left side of the shifter base surround, covered by a small rectangular trim panel that pries off
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery: remove the override cover panel on the left side of the shifter base, insert a screwdriver into the slot, press down firmly while simultaneously pressing the shifter button and moving the lever to Neutral. The mechanical override bypasses all electrical interlocks.