🚨 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser: Emergency Neutral
The 2015 Land 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 a flat surface and set the parking brake firmly
- Turn the ignition key to the ACC or ON position if battery has any charge remaining
- Locate the shift lock override slot - it is a small rectangular opening with a plastic cap on the driver's side of the shifter base, adjacent to the shifter lever
- Use a flathead screwdriver or similar tool to remove the plastic cap covering the override slot
- Insert a flathead screwdriver, key, or similar flat tool into the override slot and press down firmly
- While holding the override down, press the brake pedal (if possible) and move the shifter to Neutral
- If moving the shifter to Neutral, you may need to apply significant pressure to the override while simultaneously pulling the shifter
- Once in Neutral, the vehicle can be pushed or loaded onto a flatbed
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular slot with plastic cap on the driver's side (left side) of the shifter base, immediately adjacent to the shifter lever
With zero electrical power
With a completely dead battery, the ignition key will not turn to ON/ACC position. The shift lock override is mechanical and does not require power - simply remove the cap and use the override slot as described. You may need to apply more force when pressing the override without any electrical assist.