🚨 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 W221: Emergency Neutral
The W221 S-Class uses a traditional column-mounted automatic transmission shifter lever on the right side of the steering column.
✓ 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.
- Turn the ignition key to position II (ON) if possible to provide power to the shifter interlock.
- Press the brake pedal firmly and attempt to move the shifter to N.
- If the shifter will not release from Park, locate the shift lock override slot.
- The override access is located on the left side of the column shifter housing—look for a small rectangular or round cover cap near the base of the shifter lever.
- Pry off the small cover cap using a flathead screwdriver or your fingernail.
- Insert a small flathead screwdriver, pen, or the emergency key blade into the exposed override slot and press down firmly.
- While holding the override down, move the shifter lever from P to N.
- Remove the tool and replace the cover cap.
Shift-lock override location
Small cover cap on the left side of the column shifter housing, near the base of the shifter lever; override slot is directly behind this cap
With zero electrical power
With a completely dead battery, the shifter interlock may still be mechanically locked. The shift lock override should work mechanically without power on the W221. Insert a tool into the override slot (after removing the cover cap on the left side of the shifter base) and press down while moving the shifter to N. If the column lock (steering lock) is also engaged and preventing shifter movement, you may need to apply a small amount of 12V power directly to the vehicle (jump box or jump-start) to release the electronic steering lock before the shifter will operate.