🚨 2010 Honda Fit: Emergency Neutral
The 2010 Honda Fit uses a traditional floor-mounted console shifter with a push-button release on the front of the shifter handle.
🧰 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 firmly set and the vehicle is on level ground.
- Turn the ignition to the ON position (or ACC if battery is weak but not completely dead) to release the electronic shift lock.
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly.
- Press the shifter release button on the front of the shifter handle and move to Neutral.
- If the ignition cannot be powered on or the shift lock does not release, locate the shift lock override slot.
- The shift lock override is a small rectangular slot with a plastic cap, located on the right side of the shifter base assembly, near the front-right corner of the shifter surround trim.
- Use a flathead screwdriver or similar tool to remove the small plastic cap covering the override slot.
- Insert the screwdriver or key into the slot and press down firmly while simultaneously pressing the shifter button and moving the shifter to Neutral.
- Once in Neutral, the vehicle can be moved or rolled.
Shift-lock override location
Right side of shifter base assembly, near the front-right corner of the shifter console trim; covered by a small rectangular plastic cap
With zero electrical power
With a completely dead battery, you cannot turn the ignition on. You MUST use the shift lock override: remove the small cap on the right side of the shifter base, insert a screwdriver into the override slot, press down while pressing the shifter button, and move to Neutral. The steering wheel will remain locked, so the vehicle must be towed on a flatbed or dollies.