🚨 2014 Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG W176: Emergency Neutral
The W176 A45 AMG uses a traditional center console-mounted automatic transmission shifter with mechanical shift-lock interlock.
✓ 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.
- If battery has any charge, turn the ignition to position II (turn key to ON) or press START/STOP button once without brake pedal.
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly.
- Locate the shift-lock override cover, a small rectangular plastic cap located to the left of the shifter base in the center console.
- Use a flathead screwdriver, key, or coin to carefully pry off the override cover cap.
- Insert a flathead screwdriver into the exposed override slot and press down firmly.
- While holding the override down and keeping the brake pedal pressed, move the shifter from P to N.
- Remove the screwdriver and replace the override cover.
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular plastic cap located to the left of the shifter base in the center console; the override slot is directly beneath this removable cap.
With zero electrical power
The W176 shift-lock override is mechanically based and will work with zero electrical power. Simply skip the ignition step, ensure the brake pedal is pressed (even though brake lights won't illuminate), remove the override cover, press the override button with a screwdriver, and shift to N. The mechanical override bypasses the electronic interlock completely.