🚨 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE300 4MATIC: Emergency Neutral
The 2025 CLE300 4MATIC uses a console-mounted electronic gear selector lever with Mercedes' latest shifter design.
✓ 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 set the parking brake if functional.
- Turn the ignition to ON position (press START/STOP button without brake pedal twice) to energize the shifter electronics.
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly.
- Move the gear selector to N (neutral) by tapping the lever up once from Park position.
- If the shifter is electronically locked and won't move, locate the shift lock override access.
- On the left side of the shifter base, find and remove the small plastic cap covering the override slot.
- Insert the metal key blade (from the key fob) or a small flathead screwdriver into the override slot.
- Press down firmly on the tool while simultaneously attempting to move the shifter up to N position.
- Once in neutral, the vehicle can roll - verify with a helper before releasing brakes.
Shift-lock override location
Small cap-covered slot on the left side of the shifter base near the center console trim.
With zero electrical power
With a completely dead battery, the electronic shifter may not respond even with the override. First attempt: use the shift lock override (remove cap on left side of shifter base, insert key/tool, press down, move shifter to N). If the transmission remains locked in Park with zero power, the vehicle will need a jump start or new battery before it can be shifted, or must be loaded onto flatbed in Park position. The electronic parking brake may also remain engaged without power - this typically auto-releases when shifted to Drive/Neutral, but with dead battery may stay locked.