🚨 2016 Ram 2500: Emergency Neutral
The 2016 Ram 2500 uses a traditional column-mounted shifter lever with positions P, R, N, D, and manual gate.
✓ 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 chocked.
- If the brake lights are out or the brake-light switch has failed, locate the shift lock override slot on the column shifter assembly.
- Look for a small plastic cap or cover on the right side of the shifter housing (the side toward the driver's door), near where the shifter lever enters the column.
- Pry off or remove this cover using a small flathead screwdriver.
- Insert the screwdriver or a key into the override slot and press firmly.
- While holding the override down, move the shifter out of Park and into Neutral.
- The vehicle can now roll freely.
Shift-lock override location
On the column shifter housing, right side near the lever base; remove the small plastic cover to access the override slot.
With zero electrical power
The column shifter on the 2016 Ram 2500 is mechanical with an electronic shift interlock. If there is no electrical power at all, the shift lock override will still work—simply access the override slot and press it to bypass the interlock. No jump-starting is required if you are only trying to shift to Neutral.