🚨 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 C208: Emergency Neutral
The 1998 CLK320 C208 uses a traditional console-mounted automatic transmission lever with mechanical cable linkage and a brake-interlock solenoid.
✓ 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.
- Turn the ignition key to position II (ON) if 12V power is available.
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly.
- If the shifter will not move from P, locate the shift lock override slot—it is a small rectangular opening in the console trim directly to the right (passenger side) of the shifter base, often covered by a small plastic cap or trim piece.
- Use a small flathead screwdriver to pry off the cap if present.
- Insert the screwdriver or a similar flat tool into the override slot and press down firmly.
- While holding the override down and pressing the brake pedal, move the shifter from P to N.
- Release the parking brake and the vehicle can now be moved or loaded.
- If 12V power is completely unavailable, skip steps 2-3; the mechanical override will still function to release the shifter lock without electrical power.
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular slot located directly to the right (passenger side) of the shifter base in the center console, typically 1-2 inches from the shifter lever, often covered by a removable plastic cap.
With zero electrical power
The C208 CLK uses a mechanical shift lock override that functions without electrical power. Insert a screwdriver into the override slot to the right of the shifter and press down to mechanically release the lock pin, then move the shifter to N. No external 12V power is required for this procedure.