🚨 2013 Infiniti M37: Emergency Neutral
The 2013 M37 (Y51 generation) uses a center console-mounted electronic shifter with shift-by-wire technology and electronic park lock.
✓ 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
- Ensure the vehicle is on a flat surface and apply the parking brake firmly
- Turn the ignition to the ON position if possible—the electronic shifter requires some electrical power to release Park under normal conditions
- Locate the shift lock override: on the center console, look for a small removable cover/cap near the base of the shifter assembly on the right side
- Use the mechanical key blade or a small flathead screwdriver to remove the override cover
- Insert the key blade into the override slot fully (you should feel it depress a mechanical release)
- While holding the override depressed, attempt to move the shifter to Neutral—press the main shifter button on top of the lever if applicable
- If you have absolutely no electrical power, the electronic shifter may not release Park at all; in this case, you may need to access the transmission range selector motor directly from underneath the vehicle (flatbed towing strongly recommended)
Shift-lock override location
Small covered slot near the right side of the shifter base on the center console—exact location may be under a trim piece that slides or pries off
With zero electrical power
The Y51 M37 uses an electronic shift-by-wire system. With zero electrical power, the mechanical shift lock override may not fully disengage the transmission from Park because the range selector is electronically actuated. If the override slot does not allow you to shift to Neutral with no power, the vehicle must be flatbed towed. Do NOT attempt to force the shifter beyond moderate pressure. Some technicians access the transmission range control motor under the vehicle to manually rotate it to Neutral, but this requires specific knowledge of the 7-speed automatic transmission and is not recommended for emergency roadside use.