🚨 2021 Peugeot 208: Emergency Neutral
The 2021 Peugeot 208 features a console-mounted automatic shifter lever with electronic shift interlock on EAT8 transmission models.
✓ 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 vehicle is on level ground and firmly apply the parking brake
- Turn the ignition to ON/ACC position if battery power is available
- Locate the shift lock override cover on the console near the shifter - look for a small rectangular cap on the left side of the shifter base
- Carefully pry off the override cover using a flat-blade screwdriver
- Insert a screwdriver or key into the override slot and press down firmly
- While maintaining downward pressure on the override, press the brake pedal and shift to Neutral
- If the shifter resists, keep the override depressed and work the lever through the gate positions to reach Neutral
- Once successfully in Neutral, vehicle can be moved or loaded onto transport
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular plastic cap on the left side of the shifter console base, directly adjacent to the shift lever housing
With zero electrical power
The shift lock override is purely mechanical and operates without any electrical power. With a dead battery you cannot activate ignition functions, but the override slot will mechanically release the shifter lock. Remove the cap, depress the override mechanism, and move the shifter to Neutral manually.