🚨 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS63 AMG: Emergency Neutral
The 2018 GLS63 AMG (X166 platform) uses a traditional electronic console-mounted shifter lever with PRND gate.
✓ 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 firmly
- Turn the ignition to position 2 (or press start button without brake pedal once) to power accessories
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly
- Press the shift-lock release button on the shifter and move to neutral
- If brake pedal does not release the shifter lock, locate the shift-lock override slot
- The override access is a small rectangular slot with a cover cap located on the left side of the shifter base near the P position
- Carefully pry off the small cover cap using a flathead screwdriver or trim tool
- Insert the mechanical key blade (or small flathead screwdriver) into the override slot and press down firmly
- While holding the override down, move the shifter from P through R to N
- Keep the override pressed until shifter is fully in neutral position
Shift-lock override location
Left side of shifter base console, near the P position; small rectangular slot covered by a removable cap
With zero electrical power
With completely dead 12V battery, the shift-lock override slot should still function mechanically. Use the procedure above with the override slot. If this fails, you may need to provide minimal power: jump-start using the terminals under the hood (positive terminal under red cover on right side of engine bay, ground point on engine block or marked ground stud). If jump-start is impossible, access the transmission shift cable or linkage from underneath the vehicle—the cable connects to the transmission on the driver's side; carefully disconnect and manually move the transmission lever to neutral (middle position).