🚨 2022 Volkswagen Arteon: Emergency Neutral
The 2022 Arteon uses a traditional console-mounted P-R-N-D shift lever 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 level surface and parking brake is firmly engaged
- Turn the ignition to ON position if battery has any charge (press START button without brake pedal)
- Locate the shift lock override slot: it is a small rectangular opening with a cover cap on the left side of the shifter base, toward the driver's side
- Use a flathead screwdriver or the metal key blade to pry off the small plastic cover cap
- Insert the screwdriver or key firmly into the override slot and press down while simultaneously pulling the shift lever toward you and moving it to Neutral
- If the vehicle has absolutely no electrical power, you must jump the 12V battery first to release the electronic shifter lock
Shift-lock override location
Left side of the shifter base (driver's side), small rectangular slot with removable plastic cap
With zero electrical power
With zero electrical power, the electronic shift lock cannot be released mechanically. You must provide 12V power via jump-start or battery replacement to energize the shift lock solenoid before the override will function.