🚨 2020 Smart ForTwo: Emergency Neutral
Smart ForTwo was not officially sold as a new vehicle in the United States for the 2020 model year (discontinued after 2019).
🧰 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
- NOTE: The Smart ForTwo was discontinued in the US market after the 2019 model year
- If you have a 2020 model, it may be a leftover 2019 titled as 2020, or a gray-market/imported vehicle
- For 2019 and earlier US-market models: Locate the shift lock override slot on the right side of the shifter base under a small cover cap
- Use a flathead screwdriver to pry off the override cover cap
- Insert a screwdriver or key into the override slot and press down firmly
- While holding the override down, move the shifter from Park to Neutral
Shift-lock override location
If this is a US-market vehicle (likely titled 2019), the override is on the right side of the shifter base under a small rectangular cover cap
With zero electrical power
With zero electrical power, use the mechanical shift lock override as described. Note that Smart officially exited the US market after 2019, so parts and service support may be limited.