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🚨 2016 Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG: Emergency Neutral

The G55 AMG uses a traditional column-mounted gear selector with electronic shift interlock controlled by the brake pedal switch.

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

  1. Ensure the vehicle is on a level surface and set the parking brake firmly
  2. Turn the ignition to ON position (do not need to start engine)
  3. Locate the shift lock override slot on the steering column shroud, directly below and slightly to the right of the gear selector stalk
  4. Remove the small plastic cover on the column shroud to access the override slot (it may be a rubber plug or snap-out cap)
  5. Insert a flathead screwdriver or the vehicle's key into the override slot and press down firmly
  6. While holding the override down, press the brake pedal and move the column shifter from Park to Neutral
  7. Once in Neutral, release the override and remove the tool
  8. Vehicle can now be pushed or towed with all four wheels on the ground (consult owner's manual for towing speed/distance limits)
Shift-lock override location
On the steering column shroud, directly below and slightly to the right of the shifter stalk, behind a small removable cover
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery, the electronic shift interlock will not release even with the override. You must provide 12V power by jump-starting the vehicle or connecting a battery charger/jumper pack to the jump-start terminals (positive terminal under hood near fuse box, negative ground point on engine block). Once minimal power is present, use the override procedure above.
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