If you’ve ever been in a situation where your car’s battery is dead and you need to put it in neutral to push or tow it, you may be wondering if it’s possible. Well, it is! Here’s a simple guide on how to put your car in neutral with a dead battery. Keep reading for more tips.
Table of Contents
Tools you may need
- Flathead screwdriver
- Flashlight
- Wheel blocks
- An open vehicle
How To Put Your Car In Neutral With A Dead Battery
There are several different ways to put your car in neutral when you have a dead car battery. Before attempting to put your car in neutral when the battery is dead, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First, it’s important to evaluate the condition of your battery. If it’s completely dead or damaged, then it will be difficult or impossible to put your car into neutral manually.
In that case, you’ll likely need to call a tow truck or ask for assistance from a friend with jumper cables.
How To Put A Dead Car In Neutral When You Have The Keys
If you have the keys to the vehicle, putting it into neutral will be a breeze! Here a the steps to put your car in neutral when the battery is dead.
Step1. Pull The Parking Brake
The first step in putting a car in neutral when the battery is dead is to pull the parking brake, also known as the emergency brake.
This helps to physically secure the car so it doesn’t start to roll on its own as soon as you put it in neutral.
Additionally, pulling the parking brake protects the transmission and makes your job easier by shifting all of the weight away from the wheels.
The parking break is either located on one side of the steering wheel or next to the gear selector.
Step2. Turn On the Ignition Switch
To put a car in neutral when the battery is dead, the second step is to turn on the ignition to unlock your steering wheel.
You can do this either by inserting your key and turning it clockwise or by pressing the start button if you have an automatic transmission.
If you have a manual transmission, you will have to press the clutch before you can turn on the ignition.
Step3. Release The Shift Lock
The next step to putting a car in neutral when the battery is dead is to release the shift lock. To do this, you will need to do a manual shift lock override.
First, you need to locate the latch or keyhole. This is usually found on the shift selector and will likely be covered by a pop-off cap or small plastic cover. To access it, you will need to use a flathead screwdriver to pry it off.
Next, insert the screwdriver into the shift lock override slot and press down until you feel it disengage.
Be sure to exercise caution when working with tools around your vehicle, as improper handling can lead to injury or damage.
Step4. Put your vehicle in neutral
Finally, it is time to put your vehicle in neutral gear. Now that you have overridden the shift lock, just press down on the brake pedal and use the gear shift lever put your vehicle into neutral.
How To Put A Dead Car In Neutral When You Don’t Have The Keys
Did you know that you can put a car in neutral without the key? If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to move a car but don’t have the keys, this is a useful trick to know.
Step1. Block the Car Wheels
To safely put your car in neutral manually on your vehicle, it is important to take the necessary precautions to prevent injury or damage.
The first step is to put wheel blocks behind the wheels of your car to keep the vehicle from moving while you are underneath it.
This will help protect you from a dangerous situation, such as a rolling vehicle or sudden movement that could cause injury.
Once you have ensured that your safety is protected, you can proceed with whatever work needs to be done.
Step2. Find The Transmission
Next, you will want to use your flashlight to locate the transmission. As its name suggests, the transmission is an essential component of a vehicle’s drivetrain.
Positioned near the engine, the transmission helps to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. To find it, simply use your flashlight to scan the area below and around the engine.
The transmission should be easy to spot due to its slightly lower position compared to other parts in this area.
Step3. Disconnect The Cable
Once you locate the transmission, search around for a cable located next to the transmission with a lever and switches attached.
This cable is responsible for transmitting power between the transmission and other systems within your car, such as the clutch.
To disconnect it and disable your transmission, simply pull on this cable until you hear a clicking noise a couple of times.
As long as you’ve done this correctly and have pulled far enough, you will have successfully disabled your vehicle’s transmission.
Push The Car Slightly
Now that the car is in neutral, you are ready to try and push it. Before you do anything, make sure to put a wheel block or other vehicle restraint behind the wheels to prevent them from rolling while you’re pushing.
Then, give the car a good shove and see if it starts to move while you push on it. If it does, you are ready to push the vehicle into a place that cat your battery can be jumped.
If not, don’t worry – just take a moment to assess the situation and try again if necessary.
With some patience and persistence, you should be able to get your car into neutral without any problems.
Conclusion
That’s it! You now know how to put your car in neutral when the battery is dead. If you found this article helpful, let us know in the comments below.
And be sure to share with your friends and family who might find this information useful too. Happy driving!