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How do I put a car in neutral without a key?
My parents are out of town for the weekend. They left my dad’s car parked behind me. I don’t have the keys, but I need my car tonight. How do I put his car in neutral without a key? I just want to move the car out of the way enough to get around it.
Shannon Martin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
You can put a car in neutral without a key, but I want to let you know that it can be dangerous to do if this is your first attempt. The best option is to look for a spare key or try to get a ride with a friend tonight.
If you must move his car, carefully follow these four steps:
- Get wheel blocks: Place wheel blocks either in front or behind all four wheels. If you haven’t done this before, check out some YouTube videos for instructions. Safety is paramount here since you will need to slide under the car.
- Crawl under the car: Along with a flashlight, crawl under the car on your back. Search for the transmission; it is located near the engine.
- Find the cable: You will need to find the cable alongside the transmission that has a switch and a lever connected to it. Disconnect the cable and push the lever toward the back of the car. Once you hear it click two times, you know you have done it correctly and can crawl out from under the car.
- Push: Make sure the car is in neutral and push it out of the way of your vehicle. Keep the wheel blocks in place to be on the safe side.
In the future, look into downloading the
Jerry
app. Jerry’s membership provides you with industry-leading roadside assistance
, including benefits like towing, lockout service, and a mechanics hotline for as little as $4.16 a month. When your parents get back in town, make sure to let them know how you moved the car; this way, they can make sure it is hooked up correctly before they need to drive it again.
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- Gregory R.
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