🚨 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK: Emergency Neutral
The 2010 GLK (X204) uses a traditional floor-mounted automatic transmission lever with electronic 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
- Set the parking brake firmly and chock the wheels.
- Turn the ignition to position 1 or 2 (ACC or ON) if you have any battery power; if battery is completely dead, proceed without power.
- Locate the shift lock override slot: it is a small rectangular opening with a cover cap located on the left side of the shifter base, near the driver's side.
- Use a small flathead screwdriver or the metal key blade to pry off the cover cap.
- Press the brake pedal fully (if you have power for the brake light switch) or skip this if no power.
- Insert the screwdriver or key blade into the override slot and push down firmly while simultaneously pulling the shifter out of Park toward Neutral.
- Keep the override depressed until the shifter moves freely into Neutral.
- If the vehicle has no electrical power at all, the override mechanism is purely mechanical and will still function—continue holding the override down while shifting.
Shift-lock override location
Left side of the shifter base, under a small rectangular cover cap
With zero electrical power
The shift lock override is a mechanical release and works without any electrical power. You will not need ignition power to use the override, but the steering will remain locked. If the vehicle must be moved any distance, it must be on a flatbed or with the front wheels off the ground (AWD model).