🚨 2026 Mercedes-Benz A35 AMG W177: Emergency Neutral
The W177 A35 AMG uses a center console-mounted electronic gear selector lever with a shift-lock interlock system controlled by the brake-light switch.
✓ 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 functional.
- Turn the ignition to ON position (press START/STOP button without brake pedal, or use emergency key access if battery is completely dead).
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly.
- Locate the shift-lock override slot, which is a small rectangular cover on the right side of the shifter base near the console.
- Use a flathead screwdriver or key to pry off the small plastic override cap.
- With brake pedal still depressed, insert the screwdriver into the override slot and press down firmly while moving the shifter to N.
- If vehicle has electrical power, you should feel the shifter release; if no power, see notes below.
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular override slot on the right side of the shifter base; access by removing a small plastic cap adjacent to the gear selector.
With zero electrical power
With a completely dead battery, the electronic shifter will NOT release mechanically on W177 models. You must provide auxiliary 12V power: open the hood, locate the jump-start terminal (red positive post under a cover near the engine bay fuse box), connect a jump pack or donor vehicle, wait 1-2 minutes for systems to initialize, then follow the override procedure. Without any power source, the transmission remains locked and the vehicle must be flatbed towed.