How to Shift to Neutral Without Starting the Engine in a GL8?
2 Answers
Normally, automatic transmission vehicles can only be started in P (Park) or N (Neutral) gear. Without starting the engine, you can power on the vehicle, press the brake pedal, and directly shift from P to N gear, then start the car. Therefore, you can shift directly from P to N gear without starting the engine.
I've been driving a GL8 for several years and have encountered situations where the car wouldn't start and needed to be shifted into neutral. It's quite simple - gear lock mostly occurs due to battery depletion or starting failure. The solution is to locate a small plastic cover near the shift lever, which is the emergency release hole. Pry it open, insert your car key into the small hole, press the button firmly downward while pulling the gear lever, and you'll be able to shift into neutral. The last time this happened to me in a parking lot, the cold weather caused my aging battery to fail, preventing both ignition and gear movement. For better success, it's advisable to turn the key to the ACC position during this operation. Once in N gear, you can push the car to a safe location or call for a tow truck. To prevent such situations, I recommend regular checks on battery life and checking for corroded connections, along with periodic voltage tests using a multimeter. When pushing the car, choose level ground and remember to release the handbrake while moving the vehicle to prevent accidental rolling.
