🚨 2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Emergency Neutral
The 2024 S-Class uses a column-mounted electronic shifter stalk on the right side of the steering column.
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — details like the exact override location may vary by trim; verify visually before prying anything.
⚠️ 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 flat surface and chock the wheels securely.
- Remove the small rectangular plastic cap on the right side of the steering column near the base of the shifter stalk.
- Insert a flathead screwdriver or the emergency release tool (found in the vehicle toolkit) into the exposed shift lock override slot.
- While pressing the override tool inward, move the shifter stalk down to the Neutral position.
- If the vehicle has no power, you must first gain 12V power to the vehicle using an external jump pack or charger connected to the battery terminals under the hood to energize the shift-by-wire system.
- Once in Neutral, the vehicle can be moved or loaded onto a flatbed tow truck.
Shift-lock override location
Behind a small rectangular plastic cap on the right side of the steering column near the base of the shifter stalk.
With zero electrical power
The shift-by-wire system requires 12V power to operate. Connect an external jump pack or battery charger to the battery terminals under the hood (positive terminal has a red cap). Once power is restored, use the shift lock override procedure to engage Neutral. Without power, the shifter stalk will not release the transmission.