🚨 2021 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: Emergency Neutral
The 2021 Eclipse Cross uses a conventional console-mounted automatic shifter with electronic shift lock controlled by the brake pedal switch.
✓ 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 level ground and the parking brake is firmly engaged
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON position if battery has any charge remaining
- Locate the shift lock override slot - it is a small rectangular slot with a cover cap located on the left side of the shifter base, toward the driver's side
- Use a small flathead screwdriver or the metal key blade to pry off the small cover cap
- Insert the screwdriver or key fully into the override slot
- While holding the override down, press the shifter button and move the shifter to Neutral
- If you need to move to Neutral without any power, use the manual override slot method - no power is required for the mechanical override to function
Shift-lock override location
Left side of the shifter base (driver's side), small rectangular slot with a removable cover cap
With zero electrical power
The shift lock override is purely mechanical and does not require any electrical power. With a completely dead battery, use the override slot method described above. You may need a flashlight to locate the override slot. The override mechanism releases the shifter lock pawl mechanically.