🚨 2025 Toyota 86: Emergency Neutral
The 2025 Toyota 86 uses a traditional console-mounted automatic shifter with a straight-gate pattern and 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 set the parking brake firmly.
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON position if battery has any charge remaining.
- Locate the shift lock override slot - it is a small rectangular opening with a removable cover cap on the left side of the shifter base, near the driver's side of the shifter housing.
- Use a flathead screwdriver or the metal key blade to remove the override cover cap by prying gently.
- Insert the screwdriver or key blade into the override slot and press down firmly while simultaneously pressing the brake pedal (if any power available) and moving the shifter to neutral.
- If no power is available, press down on the override release while applying force to move the shifter - you may need to rock the shifter slightly while maintaining downward pressure on the override.
Shift-lock override location
Left side of the shifter base in the center console, covered by a small rectangular cap that pries off
With zero electrical power
With zero 12V power, the shift lock override will still function mechanically. Press down firmly on the override release while moving the shifter - it may require more force than normal. The ignition lock may prevent key removal, but this does not affect ability to shift to neutral.