Question: I didn’t drive my Subaru for a while and now its battery is dead. However, it’s angled in a way that I can’t get a good look at the battery or remove it for testing. Is there a way to put a Subaru into Neutral if it has a dead battery?
Answer: If your Subaru battery dies and you’re parked in a way that makes it difficult to jumpstart your vehicle or access the engine compartment, you might feel like you’re stuck. Fortunately, pressing the Shift Lock (or manual gear shift override) button on your Subaru will allow you to shift into Neutral, even with a dead battery.
The process may look a little different depending on which model you drive. The first technique should work for most Subaru models, including the Impreza, Crosstrek, Ascent, and Forester. Use the second set of steps if you drive a Legacy or Outback.
How to release the Shift Lock on most Subarus
For this method, you’ll need to grab a flathead screwdriver. It needs to be at least 4” long, so the screwdriver that comes equipped with your Subaru won’t be long enough.
- Look for a small, centimeter-wide plastic cap near your gear shifter. On some models, this will be near the P (“Park”) indicator, but it can vary depending on which Subaru you drive.
- Use a flathead screwdriver to pop the plastic cap off of the Shift Lock. Use caution so you don’t scratch your gear shift panel, but the cap should come off easily.
- Push the screwdriver into the opening. After you remove the cap, you’ll see a small hole in the gear shift panel. Use the screwdriver to press the button at the bottom of the hole. Do not remove the screwdriver.
- Press the brake pedal, then shift into Neutral. You should now be able to roll your car forward to make it easier to jump-start or repair.
How to release the Shift Lock on Subaru Legacy or Outback
You can use the screwdriver that comes equipped with your Subaru for this method—but if you don’t have it, any flathead screwdriver will work.
- Empty out the front compartment of your center console where the USB ports are located. If you have chargers plugged in or any small items stored in that compartment, remove them before you get started.
- Remove the rubber mat at the bottom of the compartment. If you have trouble removing the mat, use your flathead screwdriver to pry the top of it away from the back wall of the compartment.
- Look for a circular hole in the bottom of the compartment. You’ll see three rectangular notches—those are the grooves that hold the mat in place. The circular hole is where the Shift Lock button is located.
- Press your foot on the brake, then stick the screwdriver into the round hole. You’ll feel a button at the bottom of the hole—use the screwdriver to press that button.
- Shift your Subaru into Neutral. With the screwdriver still on the button and your foot on the brake, operate your gear shifter as normal. Your vehicle is now in Neutral.
Hopefully that helps, but if it doesn’t, you probably need to have your car towed to your local dealership or a licensed mechanic.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Everett Cook is an award-winning journalist and editor with more than 10 years of experience across a variety of industries. In editing for Jerry, Everett’s mission is to help readers have a better understanding of the costs of owning or leasing a car and to better understand their vehicle in terms of insurance and repairs. Prior to joining Jerry, Everett was an editor for Axios. His previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic, Atlantic Re:think, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and others. He’s also been a freelance writer and editor with experience in SEO, audience building, and long-term content roadmaps. Everett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.
