🚨 2000 FSO Polonez: Emergency Neutral
The 2000 FSO Polonez with automatic transmission uses a floor-mounted shifter; however, automatic transmission Polonez models were extremely rare in this era.
✓ Expert-verified by Chris Hackleman — 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 parking brake is firmly engaged and the vehicle is on level ground
- If battery power is available, turn the ignition to ON position (do not start engine)
- Firmly press and hold the brake pedal
- Look for a shift lock override button or slot near the shifter base - check underneath any trim pieces or caps around the shifter mechanism
- If an override is present, press or insert a tool into it while attempting to move the shifter to Neutral
- If no obvious override exists, the shift lock may be cable-operated from the brake pedal switch - check under the dashboard for a manual release cable or disconnection point
- As a last resort, the shifter mechanism may need to be partially disassembled to access the locking pawl directly
Shift-lock override location
Check around the shifter base for a covered button or slot; exact location varies by transmission type installed (likely a Peugeot-sourced automatic)
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery: if a mechanical override exists near the shifter, it should work without power. If the shift lock is purely cable-operated from the brake switch, you may need to trace the cable under the dash and manually disengage it. FSO Polonez vehicles of this era have varying levels of shift interlock sophistication depending on transmission source.