🚨 2021 Volvo S90: Emergency Neutral
The 2021 S90 uses a console-mounted electronic shifter lever with an electronic shift lock.
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — details like the exact override location may vary by trim; verify visually before prying anything.
⚠️ 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 apply the parking brake firmly.
- Turn the ignition to ON position (if battery has any charge) by pressing the START button without pressing the brake pedal.
- Locate the shift lock override slot: it is a small rectangular slot with a plastic cap on the left side of the shifter base, near where the lever meets the console.
- Use a flat-blade screwdriver or similar tool to carefully pry off the plastic cap covering the override slot.
- Insert the screwdriver into the override slot and press down firmly while simultaneously pulling the shifter lever toward you (rearward) to move through gears to Neutral.
- If the vehicle has no power and the electronic parking brake will not release, the vehicle MUST be transported on a flatbed truck—do not attempt to tow with wheels on the ground.
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular slot with plastic cap on the left side of the shifter base, near where the lever meets the console.
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery: use the shift lock override to move to Neutral, but the electronic parking brake will NOT release without power. You must use a flatbed truck or jump-start the battery enough to release the EPB before moving the vehicle.