🚨 2009 Lexus IS 350: Emergency Neutral
The 2009 IS 350 (second generation IS) features a console-mounted automatic shifter with electronic shift-lock interlock.
🧰 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 apply the parking brake firmly.
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON position if battery has any charge remaining.
- Locate the shift-lock override access - it is a small square or rectangular slot covered by a removable cap, located on the left side of the shifter base assembly (toward the driver's side).
- Use your ignition key blade or a small flathead screwdriver to carefully pry off the access cap.
- Insert the key blade or screwdriver into the override slot and press down firmly.
- While maintaining downward pressure on the override, press the brake pedal and shift the transmission into Neutral.
- Release the override mechanism and replace the cover cap.
- The vehicle can now roll - ensure wheel chocks are in place before releasing parking brake.
Shift-lock override location
Left side of shifter base console (driver's side), small covered slot near the base of the shifter
With zero electrical power
The shift-lock override is a mechanical bypass and will work with zero electrical power. With a completely dead battery, you will need to use the physical key to unlock the door first. The override does not require any electrical power to function - it mechanically releases the shift-lock solenoid.