🚨 2016 Scion tC: Emergency Neutral
The 2016 Scion tC uses a traditional floor-mounted automatic transmission shifter with electronic shift lock.
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — cross-check against your owner’s manual when possible.
⚠️ 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 flat surface and the parking brake is firmly engaged
- Turn the ignition to the ACC or ON position if possible (battery must have some charge)
- Firmly depress and hold the brake pedal
- Locate the small rectangular shift lock override cover on the driver's side of the shifter base (directly forward of the shifter lever)
- Use a flathead screwdriver or similar tool to carefully pry off the shift lock override cover
- While holding the brake pedal down, insert the screwdriver into the override slot and press down firmly
- While holding the override down, press the shifter button and move the shifter to Neutral
- If successful, release the override and remove the tool
- Replace the override cover after the vehicle is moved
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular cover panel on the driver's side of the shifter base, directly forward of the shifter lever
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery: The shift lock override on this generation requires you to have the ignition in at least ACC position, which needs some battery power. If the battery is completely dead, you may need to jump-start the 12V battery first to provide enough power to turn the ignition to ACC, then use the shift lock override. If jump-starting is not possible, the vehicle will need to be winched onto a flatbed with wheels on dollies.