🚨 2015 Mercedes-Benz E550 W212: Emergency Neutral
The W212 E550 uses a traditional console-mounted gear selector lever with electronic shift-by-wire control and electric shift interlock.
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — cross-check against your owner’s manual when possible.
⚠️ 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 the parking brake is firmly engaged
- Locate the shift lock override slot on the center console—it is a small rectangular access port with a cover cap directly adjacent to the shifter base on the right side
- Use a small flathead screwdriver or the metal key blade to pry off the override cover cap
- Insert the key blade or screwdriver fully into the override slot and press down firmly while simultaneously pulling the shifter toward you (toward 'N' position)
- Hold the override down until the shifter releases from Park and can be moved to Neutral
- Keep the override pressed if you need to hold the shifter in Neutral; the shifter may try to return to Park when released
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular slot with cover cap on the right side of the shifter base on the center console
With zero electrical power
With zero 12V power, the override slot still functions mechanically. Use the metal key blade from the key fob to access and operate the override. The steering lock may also be engaged, but the shift lock override will still release the transmission to Neutral for towing.