How to Put Car in Neutral If It Won’t Start

Discovering your car won’t start can be frustrating, especially when you need to move it. One common challenge in such situations is knowing how to put car in neutral if it won’t start. Whether you need to push it out of a parking spot, load it onto a tow truck, or simply shift it to a safer location, understanding the proper steps is crucial. This guide will walk you through the various methods, safety precautions, and essential tips to help you put your vehicle into neutral even when the engine refuses to cooperate, ensuring you can manage the situation safely and effectively.

When your car unexpectedly refuses to start, it often brings a cascade of inconveniences, from being stranded to blocking a driveway. A key issue arises when you need to move the vehicle but can’t engage the engine or shift out of park. Modern vehicles, particularly those with automatic transmissions, are designed with safety interlocks that prevent shifting out of park (P) unless the brake pedal is depressed and, in some cases, the engine is running. When the battery is dead or the starter motor fails, these electronic systems can prevent you from simply shifting into neutral (N). This detailed guide provides the necessary knowledge and practical steps on how to put car in neutral if it won’t start, ensuring you’re prepared for this common automotive predicament. We’ll cover both automatic and manual transmission vehicles, emphasizing safety and practical solutions.

Understanding Your Car’s Transmission System

Before diving into the “how-to,” it’s important to understand why your car doesn’t easily go into neutral when it’s not running. Automatic transmissions are equipped with a “shift lock” mechanism. This system prevents you from shifting out of Park (P) unless the ignition is on (or accessory mode) and the brake pedal is pressed. This is a safety feature designed to prevent accidental rolling or unauthorized movement. When your car won’t start, often due to a dead battery, this electronic interlock system loses power, making it impossible to disengage the shift lock via the usual method. Manual transmissions, while simpler in operation, can also pose challenges if the clutch is stuck or seized, though this is less common when the primary issue is a non-starting engine. Knowing these underlying principles helps in troubleshooting and applying the correct override procedure for your specific vehicle.

Safety First: Essential Precautions

Whenever you’re working with a disabled vehicle, safety must be your top priority. An unmovable car, especially if it’s blocking traffic or on an incline, presents immediate hazards. Before attempting to put car in neutral if it won’t start, take the following precautions:

• Engage the Parking Brake: Always ensure the parking brake (emergency brake) is fully engaged. This is non-negotiable, as it prevents the vehicle from rolling unexpectedly once it’s in neutral.
• Chock the Wheels: If your car is on an incline, even a slight one, place wheel chocks (or sturdy blocks of wood/bricks) on both sides of one or more wheels to absolutely prevent movement.
• Flat, Level Surface: If possible, try to move the vehicle to a flat, level surface before attempting to shift it into neutral, or perform the procedure on a flat surface.
• Be Aware of Surroundings: Check for traffic, pedestrians, and any obstacles. Turn on your hazard lights.
• Seek Assistance: Having a helper can be invaluable, especially if you need to push the car. They can help monitor for movement or provide extra pushing power.
• Read Your Owner’s Manual: This is your most authoritative source. Every car model can have slightly different procedures for emergency shift lock release.

Ignoring these steps can lead to serious injury or further damage to your vehicle.

How to Put an Automatic Car in Neutral If It Won’t Start

Automatic transmissions are the most common scenario for needing a manual override. The process typically involves bypassing the electronic shift lock mechanism.

Method 1: Using the Shift Lock Release (Most Common)

Many modern vehicles come equipped with a dedicated shift lock release button or slot. This is the first place you should look.

1. Locate the Shift Lock Release: This is usually a small slot or button located near the gear shifter. It might be covered by a small cap or a coin-shaped plug. Consult your car’s owner’s manual for its exact location, as it varies widely by make and model. Some common locations include:
   • Directly on the shifter console.
   • Under a small removable cover next to the shifter.
   • Hidden beneath the rubber boot surrounding the shifter.
   • In a small compartment or panel near the shifter.
2. Remove the Cover (If Applicable): If there’s a small plastic cover, carefully pry it off using a flathead screwdriver or a trim removal tool.
3. Insert a Tool: Once the slot is exposed, insert a small tool (like a flathead screwdriver, pen, or even your car key) into the slot.
4. Press and Shift: While holding the tool down in the slot (this manually disengages the shift lock), simultaneously press the brake pedal (even if the car is off, you should still attempt to press it down for residual pressure) and shift the gear lever from Park (P) to Neutral (N). You should feel a click or release, allowing the lever to move.
5. Re-engage Parking Brake & Remove Tool: Once in neutral, ensure the parking brake is still firmly engaged. Remove your tool and replace any covers.

This is the most common and manufacturer-intended way to put car in neutral if it won’t start.

Method 2: Applying Brake Pressure

Even with a dead battery, there might be enough residual pressure in the brake system to activate the brake light switch, which in turn might (rarely) trigger the shift interlock release if it’s a mechanical rather than a purely electronic system.

1. Press the Brake Pedal Firmly: Get into the car and press the brake pedal down as hard as you can, several times. This might build up some hydraulic pressure.
2. Attempt to Shift: While keeping the brake pedal pressed, try to shift the gear lever from Park (P) to Neutral (N).
3. Listen for a Click: Listen for any faint click that might indicate the shift lock disengaging. This method is less reliable if the battery is completely dead, but worth a try.

Method 3: Charging or Jumping the Battery

If the issue is solely a dead battery, the simplest solution might be to get enough power to the car to allow the electronics to function normally.

1. Jump-Start the Car: If you have jumper cables and another vehicle, attempt to jump-start your car. Even if it doesn’t fully start, sometimes enough power will be restored to allow the shift lock to disengage.
2. Use a Portable Jump Starter: A portable jump starter can also provide enough temporary power.
3. Charge the Battery: If you have a battery charger, you could attempt to charge the battery for a short period to restore enough voltage.

Once the car has sufficient power, you should be able to press the brake pedal and shift out of Park as you normally would. This is often the safest and easiest way to resolve the inability to put car in neutral if it won’t start, provided the problem is battery-related.

Method 4: Specific Vehicle Procedures

Some car manufacturers have unique procedures. For instance, certain Ford models might require you to pull a specific cable under the dash, while some older Honda or Toyota models might have a more obscure release point. Always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for precise instructions. This manual is an invaluable resource for these kinds of emergency procedures. It often contains diagrams and step-by-step instructions tailored to your car’s specific design. If you don’t have a physical copy, many manufacturers provide digital versions online, often accessible through their official website or an online search for “[Your Car Make and Model] owner’s manual PDF.”

How to Put a Manual Car in Neutral If It Won’t Start

Putting a manual transmission car in neutral when it won’t start is generally much simpler because it lacks the electronic shift lock mechanism of an automatic.

1. Engage Parking Brake: Ensure the parking brake is fully engaged.
2. Depress the Clutch Pedal: Press the clutch pedal all the way to the floor.
3. Shift to Neutral: With the clutch pedal depressed, move the gear lever to the neutral (N) position. This is usually the central position between the gears, where the lever can move freely side-to-side.
4. Release Clutch and Confirm: Release the clutch pedal. Wiggle the shifter slightly to confirm it’s truly in neutral. The car should now be able to be pushed.

Potential Issues with Manual Transmissions

While usually straightforward, there are rare cases where a manual transmission might not easily shift into neutral:

• Stuck Clutch: If the clutch pedal feels stiff, doesn’t depress fully, or stays on the floor, the clutch might be stuck. This can happen if the car has been sitting for a very long time, or due to hydraulic issues. If the clutch is stuck, you might need professional assistance.
• Seized Gear Linkage: Extremely rare, but the gear linkage could seize, preventing movement. This would likely require a mechanic.
• Car in Gear: If the car was left in gear (e.g., first or reverse) when it died, and the clutch is fully disengaged, it should still be possible to shift to neutral. If the clutch cannot be disengaged, the wheels will be locked, and the car cannot be moved without significant force or lifting.

What to Do Once the Car is in Neutral

Once you’ve successfully managed to put car in neutral if it won’t start, you can proceed with moving the vehicle.

• Pushing the Car: If on a flat surface, with the parking brake released and someone steering, you and helpers can carefully push the car to a safer location, such as off the road, out of a garage, or to a spot where it can be jump-started or worked on. Remember to keep the parking brake easily accessible for immediate engagement.
• Towing: If you need to tow the car, being in neutral is essential. Inform the tow truck driver that the car is in neutral and discuss the best towing method (flatbed or dolly tow for front-wheel drive, specific procedures for all-wheel drive).
• Secure the Vehicle: Once the car is in its desired spot, remember to re-engage the parking brake immediately. If it’s an automatic, it’s generally best to try to shift it back into Park (P) if possible, or at least leave the parking brake firmly engaged.

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When to Call a Professional

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you might be unable to get the car into neutral, or the situation might be too complex or dangerous to handle yourself. Here are scenarios when calling a professional mechanic or tow service is the smartest move:

• Inability to Find/Use the Shift Lock Release: If you can’t locate the release mechanism or it doesn’t work, don’t force it.
• Car on an Incline: Trying to manually move a car on a steep incline can be extremely dangerous. A professional tow service has the equipment to secure and move it safely.
• Stuck or Seized Transmission/Clutch: If the shifter simply won’t budge or the clutch is stuck, there’s a deeper mechanical issue requiring expert attention.
• Safety Concerns: If you feel unsafe at any point, whether due to traffic, weather, or your physical capabilities, it’s always better to call for help.
• All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Vehicles: AWD vehicles often require specific towing procedures (usually a flatbed tow) to prevent damage to the drivetrain, making it crucial to have them professionally moved.

Knowing how to put car in neutral if it won’t start is a valuable skill for any car owner, offering a temporary solution to a common problem. By following the detailed steps and prioritizing safety, you can effectively manage a non-starting vehicle and move it to a more convenient or safe location for repair. Remember that your owner’s manual is your best friend in these situations, providing model-specific instructions.

Last Updated on October 10, 2025 by Cristian Steven