🚨 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400 W212: Emergency Neutral
The 2016 W212 E400 uses a traditional console-mounted PRND lever with electronic shift interlock.
✓ 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 parking brake is firmly engaged and the vehicle is on level ground.
- Turn the ignition to position 1 or 2 (key in ignition, turned one or two clicks clockwise) to provide electrical power to the shift interlock system.
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly.
- Press the shift lever release button on the front of the shifter (the button you normally press to shift) and move the lever to Neutral.
- If the brake interlock has failed and the lever will not release: locate the small rectangular shift lock override cap on the center console, directly forward and slightly to the right of the shifter base (between the shifter and the center console trim).
- Use a small flathead screwdriver or the key blade to gently pry up and remove the override cap.
- Insert the screwdriver or key into the override slot and press down firmly while simultaneously pressing the shifter button and moving the lever to Neutral.
- Once in Neutral, you may turn off the ignition and remove the key; the transmission will remain in Neutral.
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular cap directly forward and slightly right of the shifter base on the center console; press down in the slot beneath to release the shift lock.
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery (no ignition position available), you MUST use the shift lock override: remove the override cap near the shifter base, insert a tool into the slot, press down firmly, then press the shifter button and move to Neutral. The mechanical override bypasses all electronics.