Release the Gear Selector from Park in an Emergency

Reviewed by the Service Reset editor · Updated August 22, 2026 · How we verify
Quick referenceToolsTrim toolTime~5 minMethodManual shift-lock override

These instructions apply to the Mitsubishi ASX Mk1 (GA) 2010-2023.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.

If your automatic (CVT) Mitsubishi ASX Mk1 (GA, 2010–2023) is stuck in Park and the gear selector won’t move — usually because of a flat 12 V battery, a blown fuse or a shift-interlock fault — you can release it manually so the car can be rolled or loaded onto a recovery truck. This guide shows the emergency park-release for the ASX CVT. It is a recovery step, not a repair.

Mitsubishi ASX Mk1 — the vehicle covered in this guide.
Mitsubishi ASX Mk1. Photo by Ethan Llamas via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When You Need This

The CVT ASX locks the selector in P until the car has power, your foot is on the brake and the electronics release the shift-lock. If the battery is dead or a fault prevents that, the lever stays in P and the parking pawl keeps the car immobile. The manual override frees the selector so you can select neutral.

Safety First

  • Apply the parking brake or block the wheels before releasing — the car can roll once it is in neutral.
  • Work on level ground, or with the car already secured on a recovery vehicle.

How to Release the ASX from Park

  1. Stop the engine and apply the parking brake (or block the wheels).
  2. Beside the gear selector, remove the gear selector cover — prise it gently with a flat-bladed screwdriver (a dry cloth helps grip).
  3. Depress the brake pedal.
  4. Insert the screwdriver into the opening and press and hold the release switch inside.
  5. With it held, move the gear lever to N.
  6. Release the switch and refit the cover.

With the car in neutral it can be rolled or winched — keep it braked or chocked until it is secured.

After the Emergency Release

This only frees the car — it does not fix the cause. The most common reason is a flat or failing 12 V battery; once power is restored the selector works normally. See our ASX battery guide if that was the cause. If the battery is healthy but it keeps sticking, a fault will be stored — look it up on autodtcs.com and have the cause checked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my CVT ASX stuck in Park?

Almost always a flat 12 V battery or a blown fuse that stops the shift-lock releasing. A brake-light switch or selector fault can do the same.

Will I damage anything using the override?

No — the shift-lock override is designed for exactly this situation. Operate it gently and refit the cover afterwards.

Does this apply to the manual ASX?

No — only the CVT automatic has a shift-lock to override. A manual is freed simply by depressing the clutch.

The lever moves but the car won’t roll — why?

Make sure you reached neutral, the parking brake is released and the wheels are unblocked once you are ready to move it.

To clear a service reminder after related work, see our Mitsubishi ASX service indicator reset guide.

Independent guide — not affiliated with Mitsubishi. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.

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