E92Vancouver

Is there a trick to getting the 2016 MDX into neutral if you can't start the engine? What if you run out of gas or can't start the car. How do you put it in neutral to push it out of the way if you can't start the engine?

If you can't, then this is really stupid.

2010_Type_SH

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ebbXABrTLz8

E92Vancouver

Thanks but I would like to know the hack to put the car into neutral if the engine is not running.

The electronic transmission in a Dodge RAM has a rip cord:

http://www.edmunds.com/ram/1500/2014...cy-towing.html

E92Vancouver

Got the answer. You have to use a wrench and turn a bolt/lever/shaft on the transmission. Pffftt!!

E92Vancouver

It is actually a shaft with two flat faces, so it will turn with a small crescent wrench. This disengages the parking pawls.

E92Vancouver

Here is the shaft:

ventureon

can someone explain this??

to get the car from park to neutral, you have to step out of the car and turn a bolt inside the engine? is it under all the covers and pins?

i use to sell cars at acura, and when they first came out with the 3rd gen MDX...never heard of this.

RDX10

So in other words...more reasons not to put in electronics for electronics sake?

Adam Fay

So, whenever I take my MDX to the full-service car wash here in Monterey, they can never figure out how to put it in neutral to go through the wash bay...their solution now is just have a dude ride in the car through the wash. It is kind of irritating on how to put this trans in N.

neo1738

It's not hard, hit N then hit start/stop within 5 seconds, bam in neutral.

Adam Fay

Well, damn...I wish the instruction card was written that simply...

neo1738

Mine came with a big yellow card with the instructions, dealer went over it at delivery as well. Maybe because I just got mine a couple weeks ago they added that tid bit?! lol

RDX10

I think the issue here is when the car cannot be started. Then its a bigger pain in the ass than it needs to be to put it into neutral.

neo1738

Totally agree, even worse than using the key in that impossible to open flap on the 2007 RDX. But he was asking for a simple car wash, that is pretty simple.

RDX10

Sorry what flap are you talking about? And good point on the car wash!

neo1738

Right by the shifter there is a little flap you can pry open to allow you to insert the key to put the car in neutral with it off. Was almost impossible to get open.

RDX10

You know I never paid attention to this. In all other automatics, if I had to move a dead car, I would use a flat tip screw driver to open that little flap thing and then simply push a clip to slide the shifter to manual.

You are saying that you have to use the car key to move the transmission into neutral in the rdx?

neo1738

Yup

RDX10

That is awesome! Wow I give them props on an awesome safety precaution.

rmatheny

Just purchased 2018 MDX: regarding putting into "neutral" mode. Not really well described in manual on how to put in "car wash" mode (neutral for 15 minutes), or indefinitely, if desired. Key is to keep motor running......do not press the start/stop button after pushing "N" twice. Car will remain in neutral, you may exit car, etc. Mine was still in neutral after 20 minutes, so assume it will stay there. Only thing is there is an annoying audible "beeping" that continues until manual changes are made....but since you are not in the car, who cares...right? (Since mine is a hybrid, I will have to make sure car wash dudes know engine may power off, but it is still in "power" mode)

As for towing.....just chatted with neighbor who owns towing company. All (most) towing companies are aware of these cars limitations (as with most models of AWD vehicles) when electrical power is lost. Towing company always sends flat bed truck, and they either "jump power" the car temporarily to put in neutral, or manual turn the over ride switch on the transmission.

New technology....ug.