🚨 2024 Ram 1500: Emergency Neutral
The 2024 Ram 1500 uses a column-mounted electronic shifter with a rotary dial on certain trims (Rebel, Limited, Longhorn, TRX) or a traditional console-mounted lever shifter on most other trims.
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — cross-check against your owner’s manual when possible.
⚠️ 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 truck is on a flat surface and apply the parking brake firmly
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON if you have any battery power (this may allow electronic shifting)
- If the shifter won't move electronically, locate the shift lock override slot
- For console lever shifters: Remove the small rectangular cap on the left side of the shifter base (near the P position), revealing a small slot
- For rotary dial shifters: There is no mechanical override - see noPowerNotes below
- Insert a small flathead screwdriver or the metal end of an ignition key into the override slot
- Press down firmly on the override while simultaneously pressing the brake pedal (if you have power) and moving the shifter to Neutral
- If you have no brake pedal assist, you may need to press harder on the override mechanism
- Once in Neutral, the truck can be pushed or towed
Shift-lock override location
Console lever: small rectangular cap on the left side of shifter base near P position. Rotary dial: no mechanical override available.
With zero electrical power
With zero 12V power, rotary dial shifters cannot be shifted electronically. A jump start or battery replacement is required first to get the truck into Neutral. Console lever shifters can use the mechanical override even without power, but you'll need to physically push harder on the override mechanism since there's no brake light switch signal.