Release the Shift Lock (Stuck in Park)

Last updated: June 8, 2026

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.

When You Need This

• The gear lever is stuck in ‘P’ and won’t shift even with the brake pressed.
• Common after a flat or disconnected 12 V battery, or a shift-lock fault on the dual-clutch (TCT) gearbox.

Releasing the Selector

1. Stop the engine and apply the electronic parking brake (or chock the wheels) so the car can’t roll.
2. Pull the gear-lever cover upwards and remove it — this exposes the shift-lock button.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Press and hold the gear-shift lock button down, then move the lever to ‘N’.
5. Refit the cover — the car can now be moved or towed.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Alfa Romeo Tonale stuck in Park?

Most often a flat 12 V battery or a shift-lock fault; the emergency release under the lever cover frees it.

Where is the emergency release?

Under the gear-lever cover — pull the cover up to reach the shift-lock button.

Is it safe to do myself?

Yes — apply the parking brake or chock the wheels first so the car can’t roll.

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.

For the underlying battery fix, see our Tonale battery disconnect/reconnect guide.