🚨 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL550 X164: Emergency Neutral
The X164 GL550 uses a floor-mounted console lever shifter with electronic shift interlock controlled by the brake pedal switch and vehicle electronics.
✓ 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 vehicle is on a level surface and parking brake is engaged
- Turn the ignition to position 2 (ON) if battery has any charge remaining
- Locate the shift lock override access - it is a small rectangular cover/cap on the console to the right side of the shifter base
- Use a flathead screwdriver or similar tool to carefully pry off the override cover
- With your foot firmly on the brake pedal, insert the screwdriver straight down into the override slot and press down firmly
- While holding the override down, move the shifter from Park to Neutral
- If successful, remove the tool and replace the cover cap
- If the vehicle must be moved without any electrical power, follow the no-power procedure below
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular cover on the right side of the shifter base on the center console; the override slot is directly beneath this cover
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery: The shift lock override may not function without any power. If the override does not release the shifter, you will need to jump-start the vehicle with a portable jump pack or donor vehicle to provide minimal 12V power to release the shift interlock. Once power is restored momentarily, immediately use the shift lock override procedure above to get to Neutral. Alternatively, the vehicle must be loaded onto a flatbed with wheels off the ground using appropriate dollies.