🚨 2023 Mercedes-Benz E350 Diesel W213: Emergency Neutral
The W213 E-Class uses an electronic column-mounted shifter stalk on the right side of the steering column (similar to W212 but fully electronic with no mechanical linkage).
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — details like the exact override location may vary by trim; verify visually before prying anything.
⚠️ 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 level ground and activate the parking brake
- If power is available: Press the START/STOP button without pressing the brake pedal to enter accessory mode
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly
- Press the column shifter stalk upward one position to select Neutral
- If electrical power is completely unavailable or the shifter is unresponsive, you must provide at least temporary 12V power for the electronic transmission to shift
Shift-lock override location
The W213 has no traditional mechanical shift lock override because the shifter is fully electronic (shift-by-wire). There is an emergency release procedure that requires accessing the transmission control module connector under the center console or using a jump pack/charger to provide temporary power to the vehicle's electrical system.
With zero electrical power
The W213's shift-by-wire system requires electrical power to operate. With a completely dead battery, you MUST jump start the vehicle or connect an external 12V power source to the battery terminals to energize the system enough to select Neutral. Once power is restored, press START/STOP without brake, then shift to Neutral. There is no mechanical override that allows neutral selection without power. For towing without power, the vehicle must be loaded onto a flatbed with all wheels off the ground.