🚨 2016 Ram ProMaster City: Emergency Neutral
The 2016 ProMaster City uses a conventional BTSI (brake-transmission shift interlock) floor-mounted console shifter with electronic shift lock.
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — details like the exact override location may vary by trim; verify visually before prying anything.
⚠️ 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 parking brake is firmly applied and wheels are chocked
- Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN position if you have any battery power (this may allow normal shifting if only the brake switch has failed)
- Locate the shift lock override slot: it is a small rectangular opening covered by a removable plastic cap, located on the left side of the shifter base near the shift button
- Use a flat-blade screwdriver or the metal key blade to carefully pry off the override cap
- Insert the screwdriver or key blade straight down into the override slot while simultaneously pressing the shift button and moving the shifter to Neutral
- If successful, the vehicle can now roll; keep the override tool inserted if you need to shift again
Shift-lock override location
Left side of shifter base near the shift button, under a small removable plastic cap
With zero electrical power
With a completely dead battery, the shift lock override will still function mechanically. You will NOT be able to turn the ignition to RUN, but the override slot bypass works independently. The steering wheel will remain locked, so the vehicle can only be pushed/winched straight or loaded onto a flatbed—it cannot be steered.