🚨 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello: Emergency Neutral
The 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello came exclusively with a gated 6-speed manual transmission, not an automatic.
🧰 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 set and the vehicle is on level ground or properly supported
- Press the clutch pedal fully to the floor (no electrical power needed for clutch operation)
- Move the shifter into neutral by centering it in the gate between the third and fourth gear positions
- Release the clutch pedal
- Confirm the vehicle is in neutral by attempting to rock it gently (with parking brake released)
- Vehicle can now be pushed or loaded onto a flatbed
With zero electrical power
The 550 Maranello has a manual transmission with a mechanical linkage requiring no electrical power. Simply depress the clutch and select neutral. The clutch is hydraulic but does not require power assistance.