🚨 2024 Rivian R1T: Emergency Neutral
The 2024 R1T uses a monostable gear selector on the right side of the steering column that returns to center after each input.
✓ 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 a level surface and chock all wheels securely
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly
- With 12V power available, pull the gear selector toward you (toward the rear of the vehicle) and hold briefly to shift into Neutral—the display will confirm 'N'
- If the vehicle has no 12V power, you must jump-start or charge the 12V battery enough to power the vehicle computer before Neutral can be engaged
- Once in Neutral with power, the vehicle will remain in Neutral even if power is lost, but you cannot shift out of Park without 12V power
- For flatbed towing, engage Transport Mode through the vehicle settings menu (Vehicle > Towing > Transport Mode) to prevent the parking pawl from re-engaging and to disable regenerative braking systems
With zero electrical power
Rivian EVs require 12V battery power to disengage the electronic parking brake and shift out of Park. If the 12V battery is completely dead, you must jump-start the 12V system using the jump-start terminals under the front hood (positive terminal clearly marked, negative to ground point). Even a brief charge may provide enough power to shift to Neutral. Without any 12V power, the vehicle cannot be shifted and must be dollied or flatbed towed with all wheels off the ground.
⚡ EV / hybrid warning
CRITICAL: The R1T is a full EV with electronically controlled drive units. Never tow with any wheels on the ground unless Transport Mode is active—doing so will cause severe damage to the drive units. Always use a flatbed or trailer. The electronic parking brake requires 12V power to release. Transport Mode also prevents the parking pawl from automatically re-engaging during transport.