🚨 2017 Honda Civic: Emergency Neutral
The 2017 Civic uses the tenth-generation electronic console-mounted shift lever with push-button start and electronic parking brake.
🧰 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 wheels are chocked - this generation has an electronic parking brake that may not hold without power.
- Press the brake pedal and push the engine start button twice (without pressing clutch/brake the second time) to reach ACC mode, or use a jump pack to provide minimal power.
- Locate the shift lock override: it is a small rectangular slot to the left of the shift lever base, covered by a small removable cap.
- Use a small flathead screwdriver to carefully pry off the plastic cap covering the override slot.
- With the ignition in ACC or ON mode, press and hold the brake pedal.
- Insert a small flathead screwdriver or key into the override slot and press firmly down.
- While holding the override down, press the release button on the shift lever and move it from Park to Neutral.
- The shift lever will click into Neutral; release the override tool.
Shift-lock override location
Left side of the shift lever base, under a small removable plastic cap.
With zero electrical power
With a completely dead battery, you MUST provide at least minimal 12V power via a jump pack or jumper cables. The electronic shifter requires power for both the shift lock solenoid and the transmission position control. Connect power, turn ignition to ACC or ON, then use the override procedure. Without any power, the shifter will not release even with the override - flatbed towing in Park is required.