🚨 2016 Toyota Vitz: Emergency Neutral
The 2016 Vitz uses a traditional floor-mounted console shifter with a button on the side of the shift knob for P-R-N-D-S gate movement.
✓ Expert-verified by Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — master technicians, 20+ years each.
⚠️ 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
- Apply the parking brake firmly and chock at least one wheel
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON position if battery has any charge remaining
- Locate the small rectangular shift lock override cover on the console directly to the right of the shifter base
- Use a flathead screwdriver or similar tool to carefully pry off the override cover
- Press firmly down into the override slot with the screwdriver while simultaneously pressing the shifter button and moving the shifter to Neutral
- If successful, release the override and shifter button, keeping the shifter in Neutral
- Turn ignition off if it was on; the shifter will remain in Neutral
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular cover directly to the right of the shifter base on the center console
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery, the mechanical shift lock override will still function. You do NOT need ignition power to use the override slot. Simply pry off the cover and use the override to mechanically release the shifter lock while moving to Neutral. The shifter will stay in Neutral without power.