What Exactly Is Shift Lock Release?

The shift lock release button is a bit of an enigma for many drivers. This button is only found on automatic transmission vehicles, often near the gear shift. The design of the button itself varies from one vehicle to the next. Some have it submerged into the gear shift panel while others have it raised. Still others have it in a place that’s difficult to access without a proprietary tool included with the vehicle. But what does the shift lock release button do exactly, and when should you use it?

What Is Shift Lock Release?

While manual transmission vehicles require you to step on the clutch before shifting gears, automatic transmission vehicles are equipped with a shift lock that prevents gears from shifting when they aren’t supposed to. These shift locks also have a manual release as a safety measure.

Shift lock is automatically enabled when the transmission is in park. It will typically only disengage when you shift out of park while the key is in the ignition and your foot is on the brake pedal. This feature is meant to help prevent theft and keeps you from shifting out of park without following the proper procedure for shifting into gear. It also helps prevent rollover.

While the feature engages automatically when the vehicle is working as intended, the manual shift lock release button is mainly designed for emergencies. Pressing it disengages the shift lock, allowing you to shift the gears even if the vehicle isn’t running and can’t detect your foot is on the brake. This is very handy if your vehicle is malfunctioning in some way and you’re unable to shift out of park.

When Should You Use the Manual Shift Lock Release?

There are a few situations where releasing the shift lock is necessary. For instance, if your vehicle’s battery dies, you’ll be unable to start the ignition and shift your vehicle out of park. If your vehicle’s ignition itself malfunctions, it’ll lead to the same problem. This makes it more difficult to get your stranded vehicle on a tow truck. In this case, you can use the shift lock release button to force your vehicle to shift into neutral.

Keep in mind that shifting your automatic transmission vehicle into neutral doesn’t mean you can have it towed on the ground. The wheels that connect to the transmission must be lifted off the ground to be towed, and doing otherwise can damage the vehicle. This is because of how the wheels attach to your automatic transmission vehicle’s drivetrain. For the same reason, you can’t push-start your automatic transmission vehicle either. Don’t use the shift lock release for either of these reasons.

How To Use Shift Lock Release

Remember that the shift lock release system might differ from one automatic transmission vehicle to the next. Detailed instructions to disengage your vehicle’s shift lock should be available in its owner’s manual.

Keep in mind that there are only two reasons to use the shift interlock button. The first reason would be if the vehicle’s battery is dead and you need to push it. If you call a towing service, the tow truck driver will need to engage your vehicle’s shift lock release. The second reason is if your brake switch or shift interlock is failing and will not come out of park while the vehicle’s running. If your foot is on the brake and the vehicle is running, the interlock should release. If your brake switch is failing, shift interlock will most likely not work. That being said, you can try the following steps:

First, engage the emergency brake. Insert the ignition key and turn the ignition. If your vehicle’s battery is dead, you don’t need to start the engine.

Next, remove the cap on the shift lock override slot. The slot should be near the lever on the shifter console. Insert a nail file, screwdriver, or key into the slot. Push your tool down and hold it on the override as you press the brake pedal.

On Dodge Rams with a turn knob shifter on the left side of the dash, you have to remove a cover and pull an orange cable. You have to pull that lever until it locks to get the vehicle out of park.

– Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

You should now be able to shift the gear like normal. If all of this was done with the engine off, shift the gear to neutral if you intend to start it.

And that’s it! You now know what to do the next time you need to manually release your vehicle’s shift lock.