🚨 2025 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG: Emergency Neutral
The 2025 C63 AMG uses a center-console electronic gear selector lever with integrated Park button on the end.
✓ 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 parking brake is set and the vehicle is on level ground or properly chocked.
- Attempt to start the vehicle or turn ignition to ON position if 12V battery has any charge remaining.
- If vehicle powers on, press and hold the brake pedal, then press the Park button on the shifter end and move selector to Neutral.
- If no power or shift interlock will not release with brake pedal, locate the shift lock override - look for a small rectangular cover/cap on the shifter console base, typically on the left side or front face of the shifter housing.
- Carefully pry off the override cover using a flat tool or your fingernail.
- Insert a small flathead screwdriver or key into the override slot and press down while simultaneously moving the shifter to Neutral.
- If the high-voltage system is active and vehicle has any charge, press the Park button first to disengage Park lock before using override.
- Once in Neutral, the vehicle can be moved. For towing, always use a flatbed or trailer.
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular cover on the shifter console base, typically on the left side or front face near the shifter lever base
With zero electrical power
With completely dead 12V battery, you must use the shift lock override (mechanical release) to move to Neutral. The electronic shifter will be non-functional. Jump-starting the 12V battery (located in trunk) may restore shifter function. The high-voltage hybrid battery does not help if the 12V system is dead.
⚡ EV / hybrid warning
This is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with both electric motor and gasoline engine. The vehicle is NOT safe to tow with wheels on the ground - the electric motor/transaxle can generate voltage and cause damage even with powertrain 'off'. Always use flatbed transport. If the vehicle has residual high-voltage charge and 12V power, you may need to cycle into a specific tow mode (consult owner's manual), but with dead batteries, mechanical override to Neutral and flatbed towing is the only safe option.