🚨 2010 Infiniti M45: Emergency Neutral
The 2010 M45 uses a traditional automatic transmission floor-mounted console shifter 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 parking brake is firmly engaged and wheels are chocked
- Turn the ignition to the ON position (or ACC if battery has some charge)
- Locate the shift lock override slot - it is a small covered rectangular opening on the driver's side of the shifter base, near the bottom front edge of the shifter gate
- Use a small flathead screwdriver or the key to pry off or lift the small plastic cover over the override slot
- Insert a small flathead screwdriver or similar tool straight down into the override slot while simultaneously pressing the brake pedal (if you have any electrical power)
- While holding the tool down in the override slot, press the shifter button and move the shifter to Neutral
- If successful, you can now release the parking brake and move the vehicle
Shift-lock override location
Small covered rectangular slot on the driver's side (left side when seated) of the shifter base, near the front bottom edge of the shift gate
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery, you may not be able to rotate the ignition key to ON position due to electronic steering lock. In this case, you'll need to jump-start the 12V battery enough to power accessories, then use the shift lock override. The override mechanism is mechanical but works best with at least some electrical power for the shifter solenoid.