🚨 2016 Hyundai Equus: Emergency Neutral
The 2016 Equus has a traditional console-mounted automatic transmission lever with electronic shift lock.
🧰 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 vehicle is on a flat surface and the parking brake is firmly engaged
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON position if battery has any charge remaining
- Locate the shift lock override slot: it is a small rectangular slot with a plastic cover cap located on the left side of the shifter base, near the driver's side edge of the shifter assembly
- Use a flathead screwdriver or the metal key blade to carefully pry off the override cover cap
- While pressing the brake pedal (if possible), insert the screwdriver or key into the override slot and press down firmly
- While holding the override down, move the shifter from Park to Neutral
- If the shifter resists, maintain pressure on the override and apply firm pressure to the shifter button while moving to Neutral
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular slot with plastic cover on the left side of the shifter base, near the driver's side edge of the console shifter assembly
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery, the override slot bypass works mechanically without any electrical power. You will not be able to turn the ignition to ACC, but the mechanical override still releases the shift lock. The steering wheel will remain locked, so the vehicle must be towed on a flatbed or with front wheels raised.