🚨 2016 Lexus RC 350: Emergency Neutral
The 2016 RC 350 uses a traditional console-mounted gear lever 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 ACC or ON position if battery has any charge remaining.
- Locate the shift-lock override slot: it is a small rectangular opening covered by a plastic cap, located on the left side of the shifter base near the driver's side.
- Use a small flat-blade screwdriver or the metal key blade to carefully pry off the plastic cap covering the override slot.
- Insert the screwdriver or key into the override slot and press down firmly while simultaneously pressing the brake pedal (if power available) and moving the shifter to Neutral.
- If successful, the shifter will release and move to Neutral; keep the override depressed until the shifter is fully in Neutral position.
- For flatbed loading, the vehicle can be rolled in Neutral with the ignition off.
Shift-lock override location
Left side of the shifter base, covered by a removable plastic cap near the driver's side of the center console.
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery, the shift-lock override will still function mechanically. You do not need power to use the override—simply remove the cap, insert tool into the slot, press down, and move the shifter. The steering wheel will remain locked, so the vehicle must be loaded onto a flatbed; it cannot be safely towed with two wheels down.