🚨 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 W167: Emergency Neutral
The W167 GLE uses a center console-mounted electronic selector lever (9G-TRONIC transmission) that requires electrical power and brake pedal input to shift.
✓ 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 apply the electronic parking brake if functional (or have it applied already).
- Turn the ignition to position 1 or 2 (ON) to provide power to the shifter electronics.
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly.
- Move the shifter lever rearward to position N (Neutral) - the shifter will spring back to center after you release it.
- If the brake-light switch has failed but you have battery power, locate the shift lock override access on the center console.
- Look for a small rectangular or circular cover cap near the base of the shifter (typically forward or to the side of the shifter assembly).
- Pry off the cover cap carefully with a trim tool or flat-blade screwdriver.
- Insert a flat-blade screwdriver or the emergency key blade into the override slot and press or pull (depending on design) while attempting to move the shifter to N.
- Confirm the instrument cluster displays N, then release the electronic parking brake using the switch (requires power).
Shift-lock override location
Small cover cap near the shifter base on the center console; exact location may vary but typically forward or to the side of the shifter assembly - look for a removable trim piece in the immediate shifter area.
With zero electrical power
With a completely dead 12V battery, the electronic shifter and electronic parking brake will not function. You must jump-start the vehicle or connect an external 12V power source to restore power to the transmission control module and parking brake system. Once power is available, use the normal procedure or shift lock override. The W167 electronic parking brake cannot be released manually without power - flatbed towing with rear wheels up or dollies is required if power cannot be restored.