🚨 2023 Kia EV6: Emergency Neutral
The 2023 Kia EV6 uses a rotary dial shifter on the center console, requiring the vehicle to be powered on for normal operation.
✓ 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 level surface and apply the parking brake if possible.
- If the 12V battery has power, press the brake pedal and turn the vehicle ON (press the power button without pressing the brake if it won't start).
- Turn the rotary shifter counterclockwise to N (Neutral).
- If the 12V battery is completely dead, you must jump-start the 12V battery (located under the hood) to provide electrical power to the shift system—the EV6 cannot be shifted without 12V power to the shifter electronics.
- Once 12V power is restored, follow steps 2-3 to shift to Neutral.
- For towing: place the vehicle in Neutral, then press and hold the rotary dial for several seconds to engage Tow Mode (if available and the vehicle powers on). Confirm 'Tow Mode Active' or similar message on the instrument cluster.
- If Tow Mode cannot be activated or the vehicle remains completely dead, the EV6 MUST be transported on a flatbed with all four wheels off the ground—do not tow with any wheels on the ground as this will damage the electric motor and drivetrain.
With zero electrical power
Without any 12V power, the EV6's rotary shifter is completely inoperable. You must jump-start the 12V battery using the underhood jump terminals to restore power to the shifter system. There is no mechanical shift-lock override on this rotary dial system.
⚡ EV / hybrid warning
The EV6 is a battery-electric vehicle with no true neutral 'coast'—the electric motor remains mechanically connected to the wheels. Even in Neutral with Tow Mode, Kia specifies flatbed transport only. Towing with wheels on the ground, even in Neutral, will cause severe drivetrain damage and void warranties. Always use a flatbed.