🚨 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser: Emergency Neutral
The 2010 FJ Cruiser 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 the vehicle is on level ground and the parking brake is firmly engaged
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON position if battery power is available
- Locate the shift lock override slot: it is a small rectangular opening with a plastic cap directly to the left of the shifter base, near the console trim
- Use a flat-blade screwdriver or similar tool to pry off the small plastic cap covering the override slot
- Insert the screwdriver or key into the override slot and press down firmly
- While holding the override down, press the brake pedal (if you have power) and move the shifter to Neutral
- If no brake power, keep the override pressed and pull the shifter straight back to Neutral
- Remove the tool and replace the cap; the vehicle can now roll freely in Neutral
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular slot with plastic cap directly to the left of the shifter base on the console, between the shifter and the center stack
With zero electrical power
With zero 12V power, you cannot turn the ignition to ACC. Simply remove the override cap, press down the override mechanism with a tool, and shift to Neutral mechanically. The shift lock is a solenoid that defaults to locked, so the override bypasses it completely without power.