Release the Gear Lever from Park (Shift-Lock Override)

On automatic Accords, the shift lever locks in P until the ignition is on and the brake is pressed. If the 12V battery is flat or the shift-lock solenoid has failed, you can free the lever manually using the built-in override next to the selector.

The same procedure applies to the North American Accord (2008–2012) — see the US guide.

How to release the gear lever from Park on a Honda Accord (2008–2015)

1. Apply the parking brake and chock a wheel — the car can roll once the lever leaves P.
2. Remove the key from the ignition.
3. Prise off the small cover beside the shift lever with a flat screwdriver to expose the shift-lock release slot.
4. Insert the ignition key into the opening and press it down to release the lock.
5. With the key held down, move the lever to N, then remove the key and refit the cover.

The car can now be rolled or towed in neutral. Keep the parking brake on until you are ready to move it, as nothing else is holding the car once it is out of P.

Needing the override once — after a flat battery — is normal. If the lever repeatedly refuses to leave P with a charged battery and the brake pressed, the shift-lock solenoid or brake-pedal switch needs checking.

Frequently asked questions

Why won’t my Accord come out of Park?

The shift lock only releases when the ignition is on and the brake pedal is pressed. A flat battery, a blown brake-light fuse, or a failed brake switch or shift-lock solenoid all stop that signal, so the lever stays locked in P.

Where is the shift-lock release?

Under a small removable cover right next to the shift lever. Prise the cover off, press the ignition key into the slot, and you can move the lever to N.

Is it safe to use?

Yes, as long as the parking brake is set first. The override only bypasses the lever lock; it does not hold the car, so apply the handbrake and chock a wheel before releasing P on any slope.