Vehicles equipped with an automatic transaxle are also equipped with a shift interlock. The shift interlock prevents the shifter from moving out of Park accidentally. When the engine is running, the driver must put his/her foot on the regular brake pedal in order to move the shifter out of park. The shift interlock also prevents the driver from removing the key out of the ignition and locking the steering wheel when the shifter is in any other position besides Park. It also prevents the shifter from moving out of Park when the key is out of the ignition and when the ignition is in "Accessory" or "Lock" positions.

So what happens when the battery dies or the brake switch fails (where the shift interlock gets the signal that the pedal is pressed) and you have to move the vehicle? Follow the steps below. This will work regardless of a column-mounted or console-mounted shifter.