How to Shift to Neutral When the BMW Engine is Off?
2 Answers
After the engine is off, there is a release button on the left side of the electronic gear lever. Press and hold the button while pushing or pulling the lever. The P (Park) position is located at the top of the gear knob; press it to shift to neutral. The gear lever is positioned behind the right side of the steering wheel. To shift gears, first pull it toward yourself, then move it up or down. The P (Park) position is at the end of the gear knob; pressing it will shift to neutral.
A few years ago, my BMW stalled and the gear got stuck, making it impossible to move—I was frantic. After calling a friend, I learned there’s an emergency release under the hood. Open the front cover and look for a small cable or lever on the side of the transmission; gently pull it to unlock the shift mechanism, then slowly push the lever to the N (Neutral) position. Make sure the car is stationary and the handbrake is engaged during this process, and avoid forcing it to prevent internal damage. This incident taught me the importance of familiarizing myself with a car’s emergency features, especially in meticulously designed vehicles like BMWs, which automatically lock for protection when stalled. Now, I always check the position of that small mechanism before driving to avoid future trouble—safety first is the key takeaway.
