🚨 2000 Honda Prelude: Emergency Neutral
The 2000 Prelude has a traditional floor-mounted console shifter with electronic shift lock activated by the brake pedal.
✓ 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
- Set the parking brake firmly and chock the wheels.
- Turn the ignition key to ACC or ON position if you have any battery power remaining.
- Locate the shift lock override slot—it is a small rectangular opening with a plastic cap on the right side of the shifter base, near the "P" position.
- Use a flathead screwdriver or the metal end of the key to remove the cap by prying gently.
- Insert the screwdriver or key into the exposed slot and press down firmly while simultaneously pulling the shifter button and moving the shifter out of Park.
- If successful, shift to Neutral and hold the shifter there while removing the override tool.
- The vehicle can now be pushed or loaded onto a flatbed.
Shift-lock override location
Right side of the shifter base console, small rectangular slot with removable plastic cap near the P position gate
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery, the shift lock override WILL still function mechanically—no electrical power is required for the override itself. Turn the key manually to unlock the steering column if needed for towing. The override is a purely mechanical release that bypasses the electronic solenoid.