That small slot beside your car’s gear shift may look unimportant, but it serves a useful purpose in emergencies. Known as the shift lock release, it allows you to move the gear selector out of Park when the normal shifting mechanism stops working.

This feature can be especially helpful when your car’s battery dies and you need to move the vehicle. Without electrical power, the gear selector may remain locked in Park, making it difficult to push or tow the car.

To use the shift lock release, locate the small cover near the gear selector and carefully remove it. Depending on your vehicle’s design, you can insert a key or another suitable object into the opening to release the lock and shift the transmission into Neutral.

However, the exact procedure varies between vehicles, so it is important to check your owner’s manual before attempting to use this feature. Make sure the parking brake is engaged and the vehicle is secured, as shifting into Neutral can allow it to roll.

Knowing about this small but useful feature can save you time and frustration when your car will not start. Although it is designed for emergencies, understanding how it works can make moving a disabled vehicle much easier when you need to get it out of the way.