🚨 2022 Jeep Renegade: Emergency Neutral
The 2022 Renegade uses a traditional console-mounted automatic transmission 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
- Set the parking brake firmly and chock the wheels
- Turn the ignition to ON/RUN position if battery has any charge (do not start engine)
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly
- Locate the shift lock override slot: it is a small rectangular slot with a plastic cap located on the left side of the shifter base, near the front left corner of the shifter bezel
- Use a flat-blade screwdriver or key to pry off the small plastic cap covering the override slot
- While holding the brake pedal, insert a small flat-blade screwdriver or similar tool into the override slot and press down firmly
- While holding the override down, press the shifter button and move the shifter to NEUTRAL
- If the shifter will not move, verify you are pressing the override fully down while simultaneously pressing the shifter release button
Shift-lock override location
Left side of shifter base, near front left corner of shifter bezel, covered by a small rectangular plastic cap
With zero electrical power
With zero electrical power, the shift lock override will still function mechanically. You do not need any battery power to use the override slot. However, without power you cannot turn the ignition to release the steering lock, so the vehicle must be loaded onto a flatbed with the steering locked—towing with a tow bar is not possible.