These instructions apply to the Alfa Romeo Tonale Mk1 (965) 2022-Present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
If the gear selector on your Alfa Romeo Tonale (2022–present) won’t move out of P — typically after a flat 12 V battery or a shift-lock fault — there’s an emergency release under the gear-lever trim so you can free the dual-clutch transmission and move the car. It takes a screwdriver and a minute. It is a built-in override, not a breakdown in itself: the release exists so you can get the selector into neutral and roll or tow the car when the normal electrical unlock has no power. Knowing where it is means a Tonale that won’t come out of Park doesn’t automatically become a recovery call.
Why the Selector Locks in Park
The Tonale uses a dual-clutch (TCT) automatic with an electronic shift-lock that holds the selector in P until you switch on, press the brake and the system releases it. That interlock stops the car being knocked out of Park by accident. Like any electrical lock, though, it needs power to let go: if the 12 V battery is flat or disconnected, or the shift-lock has faulted, the selector stays put even when the rest of the car is fine. The manual release under the trim frees the mechanism by hand so you can select neutral and move the car — note that on this gearbox the override takes the selector to N, not straight out to drive.
Before You Start
- Park on level ground where the car is safe to stand.
- Have a small flat-blade screwdriver ready, ideally with the tip taped to protect the trim.
- Make sure the electronic parking brake is applied or the wheels are chocked before you free the selector.
- Keep the brake pedal within reach — the procedure calls for it, and the car can roll once in N.
- Plan where you are moving or towing the car to before you release it.
Releasing the Selector
- Stop the engine and apply the electronic parking brake (or chock the wheels) so the car can’t roll.
- Pull the gear-lever cover upwards and remove it — this exposes the shift-lock button.
- Press and hold the brake pedal.
- Press and hold the gear-shift lock button down, then move the lever to ‘N’.
- Refit the cover — the car can now be moved or towed.
If It Won’t Release
- Cover won’t lift? Work it upwards evenly rather than levering hard from one corner, so the trim doesn’t crack.
- Selector still won’t move? Make sure you’re holding the brake pedal and the shift-lock button together, then ease the lever towards N.
- In N but the car won’t roll? Confirm the electronic parking brake has actually released and nothing is chocking the wheels.
- Needs it repeatedly? That points to a discharged battery or a shift-lock fault rather than a one-off event, and is worth diagnosing before it strands you again.
After You’ve Freed It
- If this happened because of a flat 12 V battery, charge or renew it — see our Tonale battery guide.
- If the selector keeps sticking with a healthy battery, the shift-lock or brake-light switch may be faulty — that usually stores a code.
- Once the underlying cause is fixed, the selector should release normally with the brake pressed and you won’t need the override again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Alfa Romeo Tonale stuck in Park?
Most often a flat 12 V battery or a shift-lock fault, because the interlock needs power to release. The emergency release under the lever cover frees it by hand so you can select neutral and move the car.
Where is the emergency release?
It sits under the gear-lever cover. Pull the cover up and off to reach the shift-lock button, then hold the brake pedal and that button together to move the lever to N.
Is it safe to do myself?
Yes — apply the electronic parking brake or chock the wheels first so the car can’t roll, and keep hold of the brake pedal as the procedure requires. It’s a designed-in override intended for exactly this situation.
Why does it only go to N and not into drive?
The override is there to let you move or tow the car, not to drive it. Selecting N frees the transmission so the wheels can turn; once the electrical fault or flat battery is fixed, normal Park-to-Drive selection returns.
Do I need the engine running?
No — the manual release is designed to work without electrical power, which is why it helps when the 12 V battery is flat. Just secure the car against rolling and keep the brake pedal pressed while you free the selector.
It keeps sticking — what now?
With a good battery, a sticking selector points to the shift-lock or brake-light switch. Look up any stored code on autodtcs.com and have it diagnosed rather than relying on the override each time.
For the underlying battery fix, see our Tonale battery disconnect/reconnect guide.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Alfa Romeo. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.