🚨 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG: Emergency Neutral
The 2020 CLA45 AMG uses Mercedes-Benz's electronic console-mounted shift lever (Direct Select) with push-button start and electronic park lock.
✓ 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 flat surface and wheel chocks are in place.
- Turn the ignition to ON position (press start button twice without brake pedal) to energize the shifter electronics.
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly.
- Press the shifter release button on the front of the shift lever and move to Neutral.
- If the brake light switch has failed and the shifter won't release from Park, locate the shift lock override slot.
- The override slot is under a small rectangular cap on the right side of the shifter base assembly—pry this cap off carefully with a flat tool.
- Insert a key, small screwdriver, or the emergency key into the override slot and press down firmly.
- While holding the override down, press the shifter button and move to Neutral.
- Once in Neutral, the vehicle can be moved or loaded onto a flatbed.
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular cap on the right side of the shifter base assembly; pry off to access override slot
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery, the electronic shifter will not function and the steering lock will engage. The shift lock override requires at least some electrical power to the shifter module. If battery is completely dead, the vehicle must be flatbedded—do not attempt to tow with wheels on ground. Jump-starting the battery is the recommended approach to access Neutral. Once jumped, follow normal procedure to shift to Neutral before disconnecting jump source.