🚨 1997 Mercedes-Benz S500 W140: Emergency Neutral
The W140 S-Class uses a traditional floor-mounted console shifter with an electronic shift lock mechanism controlled by the brake pedal switch.
🧰 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 parking brake is firmly engaged and the vehicle is on level ground
- Turn the ignition key to position II (ignition on) if battery has any charge remaining
- Locate the shift lock override slot—it is a small rectangular opening in the console trim, typically found directly forward of the shifter base on the driver's side
- Remove the small plastic cover cap from the override slot by gently prying it out with a small flathead screwdriver or your fingernail
- Insert a small flathead screwdriver, key, or similar tool into the override slot and press down firmly
- While holding the override down, press the shifter button on the side of the gear selector and move the shifter to neutral
- The vehicle can now be moved or towed
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular slot with plastic cover directly forward of the shifter base on the driver's side of the center console
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery, the shift lock override will still function mechanically. You do NOT need power to use the override slot—the mechanism is purely mechanical once you access it. The ignition does not need to be on. However, without power you will not have power steering and the steering lock may engage if the key is removed, so keep the key in position I or II.