🚨 2019 Lexus RC 300: Emergency Neutral
The 2019 RC 300 uses a traditional console-mounted automatic transmission shifter with a straight gate (P-R-N-D-S).
🧰 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 a level surface and set the parking brake.
- Locate the shift lock override release, which is a small covered slot to the left of the shifter lever near the base.
- Use a small flathead screwdriver or trim tool to carefully pry off the small rectangular plastic cover.
- Insert a flathead screwdriver or the metal emergency key blade into the exposed slot and press down firmly.
- While holding the override release down, move the shifter from Park to Neutral.
- The vehicle can now be moved or loaded onto a flatbed.
Shift-lock override location
To the left of the shifter lever base on the center console, under a small rectangular plastic cover.
With zero electrical power
The shift lock override is purely mechanical and does not require 12V power. Even with a completely dead battery, pressing the override release will allow you to shift out of Park. However, without power, you will not have power steering or brake assist, so exercise extreme caution when moving the vehicle.