🚨 2012 Infiniti M56: Emergency Neutral
The 2012 M56 uses a floor-mounted console shifter with electronic shift lock and push-button start.
🧰 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
- Press the brake pedal and push the START/STOP button twice (without pressing brake) to enter ACC mode, or once with brake to enter ON mode
- If battery is too weak for push-button, you may need to jump-start enough to power accessories
- Locate the shift lock override - look for a small covered slot or cap on the left side (driver's side) of the shifter base assembly
- Remove the small plastic cap or cover using a small flathead screwdriver or your fingernail
- Insert a small flathead screwdriver or similar tool into the override slot and press down firmly
- While holding the tool down in the override slot, press the shifter button and move the shifter to Neutral
- Once in Neutral, release the parking brake to move the vehicle
Shift-lock override location
Small covered slot on the driver's side of the shifter base assembly, typically near the lower front portion of the shift gate
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery, the push-button start will not function and electronic steering lock may engage. You'll need to jump-start the 12V battery to at least ACC power level to use the shift lock override. The Y51 M56 relies more heavily on electrical systems than previous generations.