🚨 2006 Mercedes-Benz S350 W220: Emergency Neutral
The W220 S-Class uses a traditional floor-mounted console shifter 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
- Ensure the vehicle is on a level surface and apply the parking brake firmly
- Turn the ignition to position II (ON) if battery has any power remaining
- Locate the small rectangular shift lock override cover on the right side of the shifter base near the console
- Use a small flathead screwdriver or the metal key blade to carefully pry off the override cover
- Insert the key or screwdriver into the exposed override slot and press down firmly
- While holding the override down, press the brake pedal (if power available) and move the shifter to Neutral
- If no brake pedal pressure is available, continue holding the override and pull the shifter directly to Neutral
- Release the override mechanism once in Neutral
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular cover on the right side of the shifter base, near the console trim; override slot is directly beneath this cover
With zero electrical power
With complete battery failure, the override mechanism is purely mechanical and will still function. You will not be able to turn the ignition to position II, but the mechanical override alone is sufficient to release the shifter. The steering will be locked, so the vehicle must be loaded onto a flatbed - do not attempt to tow with wheels on the ground.