Shifting Into Neutral with Engine Off

['XXV LT]

Greetings! First post.

I've had my '25 LT FWD for one month today. So far, so good.


In the past, I frequently backed my vehicles out of the garage in neutral with engine off. Gravity would do the work. Usually for car washing or just to make room in the garage for a project.

So far, I haven't been able to figure this out on the Equinox. What am I missing?

TIA

Jim

 

[CocoaJeff]

Welcome to the forum, Jim!

I don't think I've ever tried to put mine in N with the engine off. I'll check it out next time I get in my car.

Jeff

 

[Lee]

Never seen enough slope on a garage floor to allow a car to roll without someone pushing it.

 

[CocoaJeff]

I don't know if my garage floor has enough slope, but my adjacent driveway under my carport does. If I back up too far, I just click it into neutral and it rolls forward by itself.

 

[Lee]

I don't know if my garage floor has enough slope, but my adjacent driveway under my carport does. If I back up too far, I just click it into neutral and it rolls forward by itself.

Yes, a lot of times the driveway has enough slope to roll in neutral.

 

[Lazy Bones]

Greetings! First post.

I've had my '25 LT FWD for one month today. So far, so good.


In the past, I frequently backed my vehicles out of the garage in neutral with engine off. Gravity would do the work. Usually for car washing or just to make room in the garage for a project.

So far, I haven't been able to figure this out on the Equinox. What am I missing?

TIA

Jim

This is an electric-shift transmission, so electric power is needed. Maybe just push the Start button once (no start) and see if this works.

 

['XXV LT]

This is an electric-shift transmission, so electric power is needed. Maybe just push the Start button once (no start) and see if this works.

Yeah, tried that with no success.

The garage concrete has plenty of slope. Been here 34 years and every previous vehicle rolled out.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Tnyce1]

Greetings! First post.

I've had my '25 LT FWD for one month today. So far, so good.


In the past, I frequently backed my vehicles out of the garage in neutral with engine off. Gravity would do the work. Usually for car washing or just to make room in the garage for a project.

So far, I haven't been able to figure this out on the Equinox. What am I missing?

TIA

Jim

I just ran into this problem last weekend when I stupidly ran out of gas literally less than 100 yards from the gas station. I was stuck with no way to put it into neutral because the car wouldn't start. You not only need power, but the engine has to be running before it will allow you to put it in neutral. So annoying

 

[Tnyce1]

I just ran into this problem last weekend when I stupidly ran out of gas literally less than 100 yards from the gas station. I was stuck with no way to put it into neutral because the car wouldn't start. You not only need power, but the engine has to be running before it will allow you to put it in neutral. So annoying

Edit: I just found a Reddit post online saying if you hold down the start button for 10 seconds without pushing the brake, that this will allow you to put it in neutral. I didn't drive my Equinox today, but i'll test it out when i get home from work.

 

[bleeman]

Edit: I just found a Reddit post online saying if you hold down the start button for 10 seconds without pushing the brake, that this will allow you to put it in neutral. I didn't drive my Equinox today, but i'll test it out when i get home from work.

I just went out and tried it on my Equinox and no luck. I just keep getting a message stating Conditions not ready for shifting or something to that effect. The old memory ain't what it used to be.

 

['XXV LT]

Thanks. I appreciate the efforts on this.


More relevant info in the Towing the Vehicle section in the OM. It looks like neutral is not possible on a non-running vehicle. Yikes!

Caution
The vehicle may be equipped with an
Electric Parking Brake (EPB) and/or an
electronic shifter. In the event of a loss
of 12-volt battery power, the EPB cannot
be released, and the vehicle cannot be
shifted to N (Neutral). Tire skates or
dollies must be used under the non-rolling
tires to prevent damage while loading/
unloading the vehicle. Dragging the vehicle
will cause damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.


•If the 12-volt battery is dead and/or the
engine will not start, the vehicle will not
move. See Jump Starting - North America
3 283 and if the jump start is successful,
retry the “Car Wash Mode” procedure.
If unsuccessful, the vehicle will not move.
Tire skates or dollies must be used under the
non-rolling tires to prevent vehicle damage.

 

[CocoaJeff]

Edit: I just found a Reddit post online saying if you hold down the start button for 10 seconds without pushing the brake, that this will allow you to put it in neutral. I didn't drive my Equinox today, but i'll test it out when i get home from work.

This worked for me.

 

['XXV LT]

This worked for me.

Thanks! I'll give it a try shortly.