These instructions apply to the Skoda Kamiq Mk1 (NW4) 2019-Present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
A DSG-equipped Skoda Kamiq (NW4, 2019–present) stuck in P — usually a flat battery or shift-interlock fault — has an emergency release by the gear lever so you can move it. Everything happens in the cabin; no high-voltage or under-car work. It is a designed-in override rather than a workaround: the car deliberately provides a manual way to free the selector from Park when there is no electrical power to release the interlock normally, so you can push the car clear of a driveway or load it onto a transporter.
Why the Lever Locks in Park
An automatic gearbox uses an electric shift-lock (interlock) that keeps the selector in P until the car senses the ignition is on and your foot is on the brake. That catch is powered. If the 12 volt battery is flat or its voltage has fallen too low, the interlock solenoid cannot energise to release, so the lever stays trapped in Park even though nothing in the gearbox is broken. The same lock-up occurs if the interlock circuit itself develops a fault. The emergency release lets you defeat that catch by hand so the car can be rolled — it gets the vehicle mobile but does not address whatever stopped the interlock releasing in the first place.
Before You Begin
- Secure the car on level ground where you can — once out of P it is free to roll.
- Set the parking brake or chock a wheel before touching the release; treat this as non-negotiable.
- Plan where the car will end up, since you will have no engine braking or power steering assistance.
- Have a slim flat-bladed screwdriver ready — nothing bulky that could damage the trim or the tab.
- Work the lever surround trim gently so the clips release rather than break.
Secure the Car First
Pull the handbrake or chock a wheel before you start — once released, the car can roll.
Releasing the Lever from P
- Depress the brake pedal (or set the parking brake).
- Unclip the trim cover around the gear lever.
- At the marked point, press the release tab with a slim flat screwdriver.
- Move the gear lever out of ‘P’, then remove the screwdriver.
- Refit the cover.
If the Lever Still Won’t Move
- Confirm the wheel is chocked or the parking brake is firmly on and try again — the interlock can bind harder when the car is straining against a slope.
- Keep the brake pedal pressed while you press the release tab; lifting off the pedal can re-engage the catch.
- Make sure the screwdriver sits on the marked release point, not the surrounding trim, and press firmly and squarely onto the tab.
- Rock the lever gently while the tab is held down; a selector under load sometimes needs a small nudge to clear the detent.
- If it still refuses with the tab properly pressed, suspect a mechanical fault — stop and have the selector checked rather than forcing it.
Afterwards
This just lets you reposition the car — off a driveway or onto a transporter. If a flat battery caused it, deal with the battery; if it sticks with a good battery, get the interlock checked. Refit the trim cover so its clips seat fully, and bear in mind that with the lever out of Park there is no parking pawl holding the car, so keep the parking brake set or the wheels chocked until it is exactly where you want it.
Frequently Asked Questions
My Kamiq DSG won’t leave Park — how do I move it?
Secure the car with the parking brake or a chock, unclip the trim cover around the gear lever, press the marked release tab with a slim flat screwdriver, and move the lever out of P. It is a built-in cabin override provided for exactly this situation.
Safe to DIY?
Yes — it is a cabin override with no electrical or high-voltage risk. The main hazard is the car rolling once it leaves Park, so the essential precaution is securing it with the parking brake or a wheel chock before you release the lever.
Why did it lock in P?
Typically a flat 12 volt battery or an interlock fault. The shift-lock that holds the selector in Park is electrically operated, so when there is not enough voltage to release it the lever stays trapped even though the transmission itself is perfectly fine.
Do I need a special tool?
No — a slim flat-bladed screwdriver is all that presses the release tab. Steer clear of anything bulky or sharp that could scar the lever surround or damage the tab, and lift the trim cover by its clips rather than levering it forcefully.
Will using the emergency release damage anything?
No, as long as you press the marked tab rather than forcing the lever itself. It is the intended override and leaves nothing that needs resetting afterwards. Once battery power is restored the interlock behaves normally again, with no lasting effect on the gearbox or its electronics.
The battery is fine but it keeps locking — what next?
If the lever repeatedly traps in Park with a healthy, fully charged battery, the interlock solenoid or its wiring is the more likely cause than power supply. Use the release to move the car when you must, then have the shift-interlock circuit diagnosed rather than depending on the override every time.
If a dead battery was the cause, see our Kamiq battery guide. For a stored code, look it up on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Skoda. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.