🚨 2017 Rolls-Royce Dawn: Emergency Neutral
The 2017 Dawn uses an electronic column-mounted shift stalk with shift-by-wire technology derived from BMW architecture.
✓ 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 apply wheel chocks
- If battery has any charge: Press the start button twice without pressing the brake pedal to reach accessory or ON mode
- Press and hold the brake pedal firmly
- Move the shift stalk to Neutral position (push stalk down briefly)
- If battery is completely dead: Locate the shift lock override access point on the steering column near the base of the shift stalk
- Remove the small trim cover or access panel near the stalk base
- Insert a small flathead screwdriver into the override slot and press the release mechanism
- While holding the override, attempt to move the shift stalk to the Neutral position
Shift-lock override location
Near the base of the column-mounted shift stalk assembly, typically accessed by removing a small trim cover on the column shroud
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery, the shift-by-wire system may not mechanically engage the transmission even if the shift lock is overridden. The transmission control module requires power to release the parking pawl. Jump-starting the 12V battery or using a portable power supply to provide minimal power is strongly recommended. Without any power, flatbed towing in Park position may be the only option.