🚨 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL500 R230: Emergency Neutral
The R230 SL500 uses a traditional floor-mounted automatic transmission lever with electronic shift interlock located in the center console.
✓ 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 1 or 2 (ON) if battery has any charge remaining
- Locate the small rectangular plastic cover/cap on the left side of the shifter base, near where the shifter meets the console trim
- Use a small flathead screwdriver or similar tool to carefully pry off this override cover
- Inside you will find a small slot or button - insert the screwdriver or key into the slot
- While pressing down or holding the override mechanism, press the brake pedal and move the shifter to N (neutral)
- If successful, release the override and verify the shifter remains in neutral
- Replace the override cover after the vehicle is moved
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular cover on the left side of the shifter base, near the console trim where the lever emerges from the center console
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery, the shift interlock will NOT release even with the override slot - you must provide auxiliary 12V power via jump-start terminals under the hood (positive terminal under red cover near firewall, negative ground point on engine). Once minimal power is restored, use the override procedure above. Without any power, the vehicle must be winched onto a flatbed with wheels free-rolling.