🚨 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE350d W166: Emergency Neutral
The W166 GLE uses a center console-mounted electronic selector lever (7G-TRONIC PLUS or 9G-TRONIC) that returns to center position after each shift input.
✓ 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 parking brake if functional.
- If battery power is available, turn the ignition to ON (do not start engine), press and hold the brake pedal, then move the selector lever down through positions to N (neutral).
- If there is NO battery power, locate the shift lock override access: remove the small rectangular cap/cover on the console directly behind the selector lever base (toward the rear of the center console).
- Insert a flathead screwdriver or the emergency key blade into the override slot and push down firmly while attempting to move the selector lever to N.
- With the lever in N, the vehicle can be rolled or winched onto a flatbed.
- If the electronic selector does not respond even with the override, the transmission may need to be placed in transport mode using the mechanical release under the vehicle (requires lifting and accessing the transmission—flatbed recommended).
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular cap directly behind the selector lever base on the center console; override slot is accessed by removing this cap.
With zero electrical power
With zero 12V power, use the shift lock override slot behind the selector lever. If this does not release the transmission into neutral, the parking pawl may require mechanical release at the transmission itself, which is a specialist/tow-truck procedure.