🚨 2023 Ram ProMaster City: Emergency Neutral
The 2023 ProMaster City uses a traditional floor-mounted console shifter with electronic shift lock (carryover design from 2022, final model year).
🧰 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 vehicle is on level ground and the parking brake is firmly set
- Turn the ignition to the ON position (do not start the engine)
- Firmly depress the brake pedal
- If the shifter will not release from Park, locate the shift lock override slot
- The override slot is located on the left side of the shifter console, covered by a small rectangular cap that can be pried off with a flat tool
- Insert a small flathead screwdriver or key into the override slot
- Press down firmly on the override while simultaneously pressing the shifter button and moving the shifter to Neutral
- Once in Neutral, the vehicle can be moved or loaded onto a flatbed
Shift-lock override location
Left side of the shifter console, under a small rectangular cap approximately 1 inch from the shifter base
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery: turn the key to unlock the steering column, then use the shift lock override procedure above. The override is purely mechanical and does not require electrical power. You may need to use extra force on the shifter button while using the override.