To manually shift your Infiniti QX50 into neutral with a dead battery, you must engage the hidden shift lock release near the gear selector. This vital override bypasses the electronic system, enabling safe towing or pushing for a jump-start. Always reference your detailed guide for exact steps to prevent vehicle damage.

How To Put Infiniti QX50 In Neutral With Dead Battery Guide

Picture this. It’s a Tuesday morning. You’re running late for work, coffee in hand, ready to conquer the day. You hop into your trusty Infiniti QX50, press the start button, and… nothing. Not a click, not a whir, just an ominous silence. Your battery is completely dead.

Panic starts to bubble up. You need a jump start, but your car is snug in the garage, and the cables won’t reach. Or worse, it needs to be towed, but it’s locked in park. The sleek, electronic shifter that felt so futuristic yesterday now seems like an impenetrable vault. How do you get this modern marvel into neutral without any power?

Take a deep breath. You are not the first person to face this, and you absolutely can solve it. This guide is your step-by-step companion through the process of putting your Infiniti QX50 in neutral with a dead battery. We’ll walk through the why, the where, and the how, turning a moment of automotive anxiety into a simple, manageable task.

Key Takeaways

• Locate the shift lock override: Find the small cover near the shifter.
• Use a tool to release the lock: Insert a key or screwdriver into the slot.
• Shift to neutral manually: Press the override and move the shifter.
• Engage the parking brake first: Ensure the vehicle is secure.
• Check the owner’s manual: For model-specific instructions.
• Consider professional assistance: If steps are unclear or risky.

Why a Dead Battery Locks Your QX50 in Park

First, let’s understand the “why.” It makes the “how” much clearer. Your Infiniti QX50, like most modern vehicles, uses a system called a shift lock solenoid or an automatic park lock. This is a safety feature designed to prevent the car from accidentally being shifted out of “Park” without your foot on the brake.

In normal operation, when you press the brake pedal, a sensor sends an electronic signal to release this lock, allowing you to move the shifter. The entire system—the sensor, the solenoid, the shifter itself—runs on your car’s 12-volt battery. When the battery is dead, there’s no power to release that lock. The shifter becomes electronically immobilized.

Think of it like an electrically locked door. The key (battery power) is gone, so you need to find the manual override—the little hole you can poke a tool into to unlock it from the inside. Your QX50 has exactly that.

The Shift Lock Override: Your Secret Access Panel

Infiniti engineers knew this could happen. That’s why every QX50 is equipped with a manual shift lock release. This is a physical, mechanical bypass that disengages the lock directly, letting you move the shifter freely. It’s your emergency exit when the electronics fail.

Finding it and using it correctly is the core of this entire process. It’s usually a small, covered slot or button near the shifter assembly. Don’t worry, we’ll get to its exact location in a moment.

Locating the Shift Lock Override in Your Infiniti QX50

This is the most important step. The location is generally consistent for most Infiniti models, including the QX50 across its generations. You’ll need to look in the center console area, around the shifter.

Here’s exactly where to look:

• Turn off the ignition completely. Even with a dead battery, ensure the start/stop button is in the “OFF” position.
• Focus on the shifter trim. Look at the panel that surrounds the base of your electronic shifter. You are searching for a small, rectangular or square plastic cover, about the size of a stick of gum.
• Check for a specific symbol. This cover might have a tiny, recessed icon that looks like a circle with an arrow pointing counter-clockwise, or it might simply be a plain, small panel. It’s often located on the front-right side of the shifter base or directly in front of it.
• Use your fingers. Run your fingers around the shifter’s trim. You’re feeling for a separate, removable piece of plastic that isn’t part of the main trim. It’s designed to be pried off easily.

If you have your owner’s manual handy (often in the glove box or via the Infiniti app on your phone), it will have a diagram pointing directly to it. But following the steps above, you’ll almost certainly find it.

What If I Can’t Find It?

Don’t force anything. If you’re struggling, a quick online search for “[Your Year] Infiniti QX50 shift lock release” will bring up images or forum posts that can visually confirm the location. The design is very intuitive once you see it.

Step-by-Step: Putting Your QX50 in Neutral

Now for the action. Once you’ve found the shift lock override cover, follow these steps carefully.

Step 1: Gather Your Tools

You won’t need a full mechanic’s set. The perfect tool is usually already in your car:

• The Key Itself: The metal tip of your intelligent key fob is the ideal tool. It’s small, sturdy, and designed for this.
• A Small Flat-Head Screwdriver: A jeweler’s screwdriver or a small eyeglass repair kit screwdriver works perfectly.
• A Pen or a Small Allen Key: In a pinch, any small, rigid, blunt object can work. Avoid anything too sharp that could damage the plastic.

Step 2: Access the Override Mechanism

Take your chosen tool and gently pry off the small plastic cover you located. It should pop off with light pressure. Set it aside somewhere you won’t lose it. Inside, you’ll see a small, recessed button or a slot.

Step 3: Activate the Manual Release

This is the key moment.

• Insert your tool (like the key tip) into the slot or press directly on the button.
• You will feel a distinct click or release. Keep the tool pressed in or the button depressed.

While holding the override, your shifter is now mechanically unlocked.

Step 4: Shift into Neutral

With the override button held down, you can now move the shifter. Simply press the shift lever’s release button (if it has one—some models require you to press it, others don’t) and smoothly shift from “P” (Park) to “N” (Neutral). You will feel it move freely.

Once the gear display shows “N” (or you’ve moved the lever to the neutral position), you can release the override tool. The car should now remain in neutral.

Step 5: What to Do Next

Success! Your QX50 is in neutral. Now you can:

• Push the vehicle to a better location for a jump start.
• Have it towed safely without damaging the drivetrain.
• Roll it onto a flatbed or into a garage.

Important Safety Note: Without battery power, you will have no power steering and very limited brake boost (maybe one or two presses before it becomes very hard). Be extremely cautious when pushing the vehicle. Use the parking brake to control speed if needed, and have someone help guide you.

Important Considerations for Towing and Jump Starting

Getting the car into neutral is half the battle. Now you need to deal with the dead battery itself. Here’s what you should know.

If You’re Getting a Jump Start

Once in neutral and positioned for a jump:

• Connect the jumper cables properly (red to positive on dead battery, red to positive on donor battery, black to negative on donor battery, black to an unpainted metal ground on the dead car’s engine).
• Wait a few minutes for the dead battery to take some charge.
• Attempt to start your QX50. Once it starts, you can shift normally. Let it run or drive for at least 20-30 minutes to recharge the battery.

If You’re Towing the Vehicle

You must tell the tow truck driver that the car is already in neutral due to a dead battery. This is critical information.

• Flatbed towing is ALWAYS the preferred and safest method for an all-wheel-drive vehicle like the QX50. This lifts all four wheels off the ground, preventing any potential drivetrain damage.
• If a flatbed is not available and it’s a two-wheel-drive model, the tow operator may use a dolly for the non-drive wheels. Consult your owner’s manual for specific towing instructions for your model year and drivetrain.

Never let a tow company simply drag your car with two wheels on the ground without confirming it’s safe for your specific configuration. The cost of a flatbed is far less than a damaged transmission or differential.

Preventing Future Dead Battery Headaches

Now that you’ve navigated the crisis, let’s make sure it doesn’t happen again. Modern cars with lots of electronics are more prone to battery drain.

Proactive Battery Care Tips

• Test Your Battery Regularly: Most auto parts stores offer free battery testing. Do this once a year, especially before winter.
• Minimize Parasitic Drain: Ensure all lights, the infotainment system, and accessories are off when the car is parked. Avoid using USB ports to charge devices when the car is off for long periods.
• Drive Your Car: Short trips don’t allow the battery to fully recharge. Take a longer drive at highway speeds weekly if your routine is mostly short hops.
• Invest in a Battery Maintainer: If you leave your car unused for more than two weeks (like during travel), a trickle charger or battery maintainer is an excellent investment to keep the battery at full health.
• Know Your Battery’s Age: Car batteries typically last 3-5 years. If yours is in that range, be proactive about replacement rather than waiting for it to fail.

Data Table: Infiniti QX50 Model Year Reference

While the process is very similar across model years, here’s a quick reference for the two main generations of the Infiniti QX50. This can help you visualize where to look.

Model Years	Generation	Shifter Type	Shift Lock Override Location Key
2014-2017 (as QX50)	First Gen (Based on EX37)	Traditional Gated Lever	Small covered slot on the right-front side of the shifter base. Very common design.
2019-Present	Second Gen	Electronic Shifter Knob	Look for a small, square plastic cover directly in front of the shifter knob on the center console trim.

Note: Always refer to your specific vehicle’s owner’s manual for the most accurate information. This table is a general guide.

Conclusion: You’ve Got This Under Control

That initial feeling of helplessness with a dead battery in a high-tech car is completely normal. But as we’ve walked through, your Infiniti QX50 is designed with a straightforward solution. The process to put your Infiniti QX50 in neutral with a dead battery boils down to: find the small cover, use your key to press the button, and shift. It takes less than 60 seconds once you know how.

Bookmark this guide, maybe even take a quick mental note of where that little cover is the next time you’re in your car. A bit of knowledge is the best tool in your trunk. Now you can handle this situation with confidence, get your car where it needs to be, and get back on the road. Safe driving!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I put my Infiniti Qx50 in neutral with a dead battery?

To put your Infiniti Qx50 in neutral with a dead battery, locate the shift lock release cover near the gear selector. Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry it open and press the override button inside to manually shift the transmission into neutral.

Why is it important to know how to put Infiniti Qx50 in neutral with a dead battery?

Knowing how to put your Infiniti Qx50 in neutral with a dead battery is essential for emergencies like towing or pushing the vehicle to a safe location. Without power, the transmission is electronically locked, so this manual override is the only way to move the car.

What tools do I need to put Infiniti Qx50 in neutral with a dead battery?

You typically need a small flat-head screwdriver or a similar tool to access the shift lock release cover. In some cases, a key or a specific tool mentioned in the owner’s manual might be required for the override mechanism.

Is it safe to put my Infiniti Qx50 in neutral with a dead battery?

Yes, it is generally safe if you follow the proper procedure. Ensure the vehicle is on a flat surface with the parking brake engaged to prevent any unintended rolling while you operate the shift override.

Are there alternative ways to put Infiniti Qx50 in neutral with a dead battery?

No, the primary method is using the manual shift override, as the electronic system requires power. Always refer to your Infiniti Qx50 owner’s manual for model-specific instructions, as procedures can vary by year.

What should I do after putting my Infiniti Qx50 in neutral with a dead battery?

After successfully shifting to neutral, you can tow or push the vehicle as needed. Remember to address the dead battery immediately by charging or replacing it to restore normal transmission function and avoid future issues.