🚨 2009 Toyota Yaris: Emergency Neutral
The 2009 Toyota Yaris 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 parking brake is firmly engaged
- Turn the ignition key to the ACC or ON position (if battery has any charge)
- Locate the shift lock override slot on the left side of the shifter base, near the P position
- Pry up the small rectangular cover cap directly to the left of the shifter base using a flathead screwdriver or your fingernail
- Insert a flathead screwdriver, key, or pen into the exposed override slot
- Press down firmly on the override while simultaneously pulling the shifter release button and moving the shifter from P to N
- Keep your foot OFF the brake pedal during this procedure—the shift lock override bypasses the brake interlock
Shift-lock override location
Left side of the shifter base console, under a small rectangular plastic cover cap approximately 1 inch left of the shifter in Park position
With zero electrical power
The mechanical shift lock override works with zero electrical power. You do not need any battery voltage. Simply use the override slot as described to mechanically release the shift lock mechanism and move to N.