🚨 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300 W213: Emergency Neutral
The W213 E300 uses a console-mounted electronic shifter (small lever) with electronic shift-by-wire control and an electrically actuated 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
- Turn the ignition on by pressing the START/STOP button without pressing the brake pedal (requires key fob battery or emergency key slot access)
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly
- Move the shifter to the Neutral position (push lever up once from Park)
- If the shifter will not move due to shift lock failure, locate the shift lock override access on the left side of the shifter base
- Use a flat tool to carefully pry off the small cover panel on the left side of the shifter console
- Insert a screwdriver or similar tool into the exposed override slot and press down while moving the shifter to Neutral
- If successful, keep ignition on while loading the vehicle
Shift-lock override location
Left side of the center console shifter base, behind a small removable trim cover
With zero electrical power
With completely dead 12V battery, the W213 requires a jump-start or battery replacement to activate the ignition and release the electronic parking brake. The shift-by-wire transmission will NOT shift without electrical power, and the mechanical override only releases the shifter lock mechanism—it does not bypass the transmission's electronic control. You MUST restore at least minimal 12V power to shift this vehicle. Use the emergency jump-start terminals under the hood (positive terminal under red cover near fuse box, negative ground point on engine or strut tower). Once power is restored, follow normal shifting procedure. This vehicle MUST be transported on a flatbed.