🚨 2000 Toyota Aristo: Emergency Neutral
The 2000 Aristo uses a traditional floor-mounted console 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 parking brake is firmly set and wheels are chocked
- Turn ignition to ACC or ON position if battery has any charge
- Locate the shift lock override slot - it is a small rectangular opening with a plastic cover cap on the left side of the shifter base, near the P position
- Use a small flathead screwdriver or ignition key to pry off the plastic cover cap
- Insert the screwdriver or key straight down into the override slot while simultaneously pressing the brake pedal (if possible) and pressing the shifter button
- Hold the override down and move the shifter from P to N
- If successful, remove the tool and replace the cover cap
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular slot with removable plastic cap on the left side of the shifter base, adjacent to the P gate position
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery, the override slot can still be used mechanically. You will not need ignition power to release the shift lock via the override - the mechanism is purely mechanical once accessed. The override physically disengages the solenoid lock pin.