🚨 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG: Emergency Neutral
The 2014 CLA45 AMG uses a traditional console-mounted electronic gear selector lever (7G-DCT transmission).
✓ 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 possible.
- Turn the ignition to position 2 (ON) using the key, or press the start button once without pressing the brake pedal.
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly.
- Press the release button on the side of the gear selector and move the lever to Neutral (center position).
- If the brake-light switch has failed and prevents shifting, locate the shift lock override slot on the gear selector.
- Look for a small rectangular or circular cover on the right side of the gear selector base - this may be labeled with a key symbol.
- Pry off the cover using a flat-blade screwdriver to reveal the shift lock override slot.
- Insert the vehicle key or a flat-blade screwdriver into the override slot and press down firmly while simultaneously pressing the gear selector release button and moving to Neutral.
- Once in Neutral, the vehicle can be pushed or loaded onto a flatbed.
Shift-lock override location
Right side of the center console gear selector base, under a small cover cap near the selector button (look for key symbol marking)
With zero electrical power
With a completely dead battery, you will still be able to use the mechanical shift lock override to move the gear selector to Neutral. First, ensure the parking brake is engaged. Pry off the override cover and insert the key into the slot, then press down while moving the selector to Neutral. The steering lock may remain engaged with no power, which will make steering extremely difficult. For towing, the vehicle should be loaded onto a flatbed with the front wheels secured. If the vehicle must be pushed a short distance (onto a flatbed), expect very heavy steering.