🚨 2019 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG: Emergency Neutral
The 2019 SL65 AMG (R231 generation) uses a traditional PRND console-mounted lever shifter with electronic shift interlock.
✓ 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 II (ON) if battery power is available; if not, skip to step 6 for no-power procedure.
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly.
- Locate the shift lock override: it is a small rectangular cap/cover on the right side of the shifter base, adjacent to the lever.
- Use a small flathead screwdriver or similar tool to carefully pry off the override cap.
- Insert the screwdriver or key into the exposed override slot and press down while simultaneously moving the shifter out of Park.
- If no electrical power is available at all: the electronic shifter requires at least minimal 12V power to release. You must jump-start the 12V battery or connect a portable jump pack to the battery terminals under the hood to energize the shift interlock solenoid, then follow steps 3-6.
- Once in Neutral, the vehicle can be moved or loaded onto a flatbed tow truck.
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular cap on the right side of the shifter base, directly adjacent to the lever pivot point.
With zero electrical power
The R231 SL requires at least minimal 12V power to unlock the shifter electronically. Even with the manual override, the solenoid needs voltage. Connect a jump pack or jumper cables to the battery under the hood, wait 30 seconds for the system to initialize, then use the override procedure. Without any power, the shifter will remain locked and the vehicle must be dollied or flatbedded with the front wheels off the ground.