🚨 2019 Volkswagen Arteon: Emergency Neutral
The 2019 Arteon features an electronic console-mounted shift lever with electronic parking brake and shift interlock system.
✓ 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
- Ensure the vehicle is on level ground and chocked appropriately
- If any battery power remains, turn the ignition to ON or ACC position
- Locate the shift lock override access - a small rectangular cap on the left side of the shifter base near the console trim
- Use a small flathead screwdriver or trim tool to carefully pry off the override cap
- Insert the screwdriver into the override slot and press down firmly
- While holding the override down, press the brake pedal if power is available and move the shifter from Park to Neutral
- If completely dead with no power, continue holding the override down and apply firm forward pressure on the shifter lever - it should release and move to Neutral with moderate force
- Once in Neutral, vehicle can be pushed or winched onto a flatbed
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular cap on the left side of the shifter base, integrated into the console trim adjacent to the shift lever
With zero electrical power
With zero battery power, the electronic parking brake will remain engaged. The shift lock override will still work mechanically to move the shifter to Neutral, but the EPB will hold the rear wheels. The vehicle's front wheels can roll but rear wheels will be locked - flatbed towing with all wheels up is required, or the EPB must be manually released (which typically requires battery power or a jump start).