🚨 2020 Kia Telluride: Emergency Neutral
The 2020 Kia Telluride uses a conventional 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 vehicle is on level ground and set the parking brake firmly
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON position if battery has any charge remaining
- Locate the shift-lock override slot: it is a small rectangular opening with a removable plastic cap on the left side of the shifter base
- Use a flathead screwdriver or trim tool to carefully pry off the plastic cover cap
- Insert a flathead screwdriver, key, or similar narrow tool into the override slot and press down firmly
- While holding the override tool down, press the brake pedal (if possible) and move the shifter from Park to Neutral
- If brake cannot be depressed, maintain pressure on the override and move the shifter to Neutral
- Once in Neutral, the vehicle can be pushed or towed; replace the cover cap when finished
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular slot with plastic cap cover on the left side of the shifter base, adjacent to the shifter boot
With zero electrical power
With complete loss of electrical power, the mechanical shift-lock override still functions. No battery power is required to use the override mechanism. Simply access the override slot and press down while moving the shifter to Neutral. The ignition position does not matter when using the mechanical override.