🚨 2017 Ford F-250: Emergency Neutral
The 2017 F-250 Super Duty uses a column-mounted shift lever with an electronic shift-lock system.
✓ Expert-verified by Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — master technicians, 20+ years each.
⚠️ 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 level ground and set the parking brake firmly
- Turn the ignition to the ON position if battery power is available (do not start engine)
- Locate the shift-lock override slot on the right side of the column shroud, near the base of the shift lever
- Remove the small rubber cap or plastic cover over the shift-lock override slot
- Insert a small flat-blade screwdriver or similar tool into the override slot
- While pressing the tool firmly into the slot to release the shift lock, press the brake pedal (if power available) and move the shift lever to NEUTRAL
- If the shift lever will not move, maintain tool pressure in the override slot while gently wiggling the lever
Shift-lock override location
Right side of the column shroud near the base of the shift lever, under a small cap
With zero electrical power
With zero electrical power, the shift-lock override may still work mechanically on some units, but the electronic transmission may not fully disengage park. If the override does not release the lever mechanically, the vehicle must be flat-bedded. Do NOT attempt to tow with drive wheels on the ground.