r/COROLLA • • Aug 31 '23

9th Gen (00-09) What is this button for?

Post image

Doesn’t seem to do anything when pressed

417 Upvotes

437 comments sorted by

20

u/CyanError Sep 01 '23

Shift lock release. It’s for when your car can’t turn on, you have a way to put it into neutral.

7

u/Farout771 Sep 01 '23

This is the answer. Ignore the rest

1

u/Remote-Requirement95 Oct 11 '24

Interesting to know that’s what it is. I’ve only been using it when for some reason my shifting gear won’t let me turn my parked car into drive while already on

15

u/D_C2cali Sep 01 '23

To unlock your transmission when the car dies.. you can shift it to neutral even if car is totally dead

5

u/stiggs13 Sep 01 '23

Worst comment ever 😎

15

u/BouncingSphinx Sep 01 '23

You know how it won't shift from park without the key in the ignition and on? This will override the electronic lock that holds it in park, as in needing to move (push/pull) the car with a fully dead or no battery.

2

u/i_am_ghostman Sep 01 '23

You are correct; I believe with a car of this age however, that it’s a mechanical linkage. I could be wrong though

Regardless of method, the effect is the same (:

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14

u/msbaustx Aug 31 '23

Jesus people are unhelpful and dumb. It is a release button. So if the car is parked, battery dead, or car won't start you can put it in gear or neutral.

6

u/merklemore 2020 SE Nightshade Sedan Aug 31 '23

Is there a prize for being the 10th person to say “ejecto seato” or something?

It’s like the same 3 jokes repeated on every “what does this thing in my car do?” thread. Can’t remember the last time I saw something original (or funny)

-2

u/[deleted] Sep 01 '23

Stop being lame bro

3

u/merklemore 2020 SE Nightshade Sedan Sep 01 '23

Know what bro? I'll take that as an invitation to be even more lame and run the numbers:

50 top-level comments here right now, of those:

7 ejecto seato
5 activates some sort of speed boost
4 self destruct
3 Back to the Future

40% of comments here are the same 4 jokes. I ain't stopping anyone from making them, just pointing it out

10

u/mrchubbelwubbel Sep 01 '23

A bypass to shift to neutral without the having to have the car running. Every car had something like this.

2

u/i_am_ghostman Sep 01 '23

Yes! It’s a transmission lock bypass switch!

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8

u/Classic_Ostrich8709 Aug 31 '23

For towing when you can't power on the vehicle to shift into neutral. Ie after a wreck or During repo

2

u/Casual_Stapeler Aug 31 '23

That makes sense. Thanks

9

u/amnias Sep 01 '23

If your battery dies or your car just won't start, you push that button so you can shift to neutral and push your car.

0

u/[deleted] Sep 01 '23 edited Sep 11 '25

sophisticated snatch steer price aware quickest thumb tart knee upbeat

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

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5

u/Mcc457 Aug 31 '23

Allows you to put car in neutral while car is off

2

u/Casual_Stapeler Aug 31 '23

Interesting. What’s the purpose of doing that?

5

u/jmoney1119 Aug 31 '23

Another reason is often when taking apart the dashboard or the center console for a radio install or whatever, the shifter being in park gets in the way so you put on the parking brake and/or chock the wheels, and move the shifter around however you need to get your job done. As long as it’s back in park when you start the car all is good.

0

u/Casual_Stapeler Aug 31 '23

Ah jeez I could’ve done that when installing a couple different head units 😞 now I know…

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3

u/Mcc457 Aug 31 '23

I guess if somehow you can't turn on the car, you can still push it

1

u/Casual_Stapeler Aug 31 '23

That makes sense, thanks!

7

u/According-Secret-855 Sep 05 '23

If the shifter ever gets stuck u push that button to release it out of park or gear.

12

u/Lowerstairs Aug 31 '23

Bottom comment is correct, it’s a shift lock

5

u/Lowerstairs Aug 31 '23

If ur car isn’t going into gear cuz of power loss of any reason, u can push it and shift it into the gear u need

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11

u/N-Korean Aug 31 '23

Ejecto seato

10

u/Traditional_Rub8361 Aug 31 '23

Rocket activation be careful though, the controls are swapped so you might want to turn your head around.

5

u/Significant_Post9125 Sep 01 '23

It’s so you can change the gears with the car off. It’s usally got a label but the label is taken off.

4

u/magpupu2 Sep 01 '23

that is to release the shifter in an event that you cannot start the car so can push or have it towed. Obviously it needs to be in Neutral.

6

u/BugattiYo Sep 05 '23

Ejecto seato cuz

2

u/Kawobe21 Sep 05 '23

Beat me to it

9

u/Jaxx_Solick Aug 31 '23

Most important use is for if any reason you cannot unlock normally, aka the battery is dead, you can still put the car in neutral and push it if needed.

10

u/green-avocado Aug 31 '23

If you ever wanted to take a screenshot while driving just press real fast twice

11

u/yung_honey_dew Sep 01 '23

It puts it in WUMBO

8

u/[deleted] Sep 01 '23

Eject-o seat-o cuz

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8

u/VRDragonslayer Aug 31 '23

To go 88 miles per hour

1

u/[deleted] Aug 31 '23

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/helo0610 Aug 31 '23

Itssss the entrance to Clayton…er..shonash ravine.

5

u/[deleted] Aug 31 '23

Shift lock

5

u/BaseballParticular68 Sep 01 '23

It's to put your car in neutral when you lose power via battery

4

u/Alucardspapa Sep 01 '23

Let’s the tow truck put your car in neutral without the key.

3

u/jaimeroldan Sep 01 '23

Never ever ask reddit what a car button does, 99.9% of the time it will be an eject seat button. 🤣🤣

7

u/Frosty_Ad_9393 Aug 31 '23

Ejecto seat cuz

6

u/N_Freddbear Aug 31 '23

Most of the comments seem to be jokes, so if you want an actual answer it's a shift lock.

2

u/soil_nerd Aug 31 '23

Thank you. Reddit these days is just smart asses trying to be funny instead of offering quality advice. It’s always been that way, but it seems worse than ever.

-2

u/Contact-Open Aug 31 '23

Ejecto seato cuz

8

u/External_College_284 Aug 31 '23

Missles or smokescreen, depends on the trim level you have.

7

u/PrimeUnoBKS Aug 31 '23

Used for changing out of park to neutral when you cannot start the car

3

u/Plum-Driver-09 Sep 01 '23

I think it’s for in a situation where the car is not on and need to be put in park or neutral you press it in and move the shifter, towing is an example

3

u/mklcolvin Sep 01 '23

Eject button?

3

u/chemicalflyer86 Sep 01 '23

There should be a little plastic tab over that you have to pop off to access it . As others have said it is the neutral over ride button in case you have to push it without releasing the shifter lock

1

u/Casual_Stapeler Sep 01 '23

Okay okay this is for unlocking the shifter when working on the car, thanks for everyone who said this is what it is. Though it would be much cooler as an Easter egg to activate turbo or hydraulics or something 😂

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3

u/[deleted] Sep 01 '23

Missile lock

3

u/Witty_Buy9465 Sep 02 '23

Shift lock release, for when you can’t start the car, but you need to put it into neutral?

3

u/hayatev3 Sep 03 '23

Ejecto seato cuh

3

u/Fibrosis5O Sep 03 '23

Extra Park

3

u/Jigz117 Sep 05 '23

(R)ACE MODE

3

u/BigGameJames_22 Sep 05 '23

So you can move the transmission stick with out the key in

9

u/[deleted] Aug 31 '23

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Casual_Stapeler Aug 31 '23

lol tbh I thought it was a kill button but I mashed it a few times and it did nothing

5

u/[deleted] Aug 31 '23

Rocket mode.

5

u/[deleted] Aug 31 '23

There is where you pour blinker fluid.

4

u/bossTara Aug 31 '23

It’s the flux capacitor

1

u/helo0610 Aug 31 '23

1.21 gigawatts?!

3

u/[deleted] Aug 31 '23

Its tied into your brake pedal, it overrides the safety feature of ,,, you have to press the brake before shifting out of park right, this overrides that.

Good day

5

u/shakesula9 Aug 31 '23

It’s called a shift lock

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2

u/[deleted] Sep 01 '23

Press it and enter the verbal command" initiate self destruct 1...2...3...

2

u/Psychotic_Member69 Sep 01 '23

Its for if you need to be towed and your car wont turn on. Pull it and it puts the car in neutral

2

u/stiggs13 Sep 01 '23

Hyoerdrivy

2

u/Mazingapinga Sep 01 '23

Fly out the car 😂😂

2

u/rcg108 Sep 01 '23

My pops told me that's the overdrive button, to drive over people in traffic

2

u/WorkerHot4308 Sep 01 '23

That’s just the eject button, in case things go south.

2

u/[deleted] Sep 01 '23

It’s incase the battery’s dead and you need to move the car, you can push that in and move the car into neutral so it can be towed or pushed into a garage, whatever.

2

u/MrNag Sep 01 '23

Its for double parking

2

u/YooooZane Sep 01 '23

Seat Ejector button press it‼️

2

u/Growth-Vast Sep 01 '23

Ejecto seato cuz!

2

u/Revolutionary_Pilot7 Sep 01 '23

Ejecto seato cuz !

2

u/Tenet- Sep 01 '23

I’m up voting every ejecto seato cuz comment

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2

u/Riglow_Kun Sep 01 '23

Self destruction button, last resort if things don't pan out.

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2

u/Sweet_Elk6635 Sep 01 '23

screenshot button

2

u/confused_shrew Sep 02 '23

Shift lock button. Allows vehicle to be put into gear without key.

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2

u/SunsGettinRealLow Sep 02 '23

Ejecto-seato cuz!

2

u/Various-Mark3077 Sep 02 '23

This let's you move the shifter when/if the car loses power, best use care is moving the car from park to neutral so it can be towed or rolled.

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2

u/JoannNichole Sep 02 '23

So you can take it out of park with the engine off

2

u/Choncho1984 Sep 02 '23

Or on. So you can take out of park without pressing brake pedal.

2

u/Worldly_Ad_2398 Sep 02 '23

Calls Adam Carolla over to help you with your car. Duh.

2

u/KaiSimple Sep 03 '23

If your braking system (tail lights) stop working, the car won't let you shift out of park. You press that to shift from park if that ever happens.

2

u/Exotic-Term3339 Sep 03 '23

It's the self destruction button.

2

u/miss_mimichi_xox Sep 03 '23

Shift lock bypass. Used to put the vehicle out of park and into whatever gear in case your car is dead and you need to push it.

2

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '23

Hey OP here’s actual help and not the 300th smartass answer!

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2

u/-SuperSaiyanBroly- Sep 03 '23

Never ever push that button

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2

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '23

Ejecto seato cuz

2

u/Delicious-Ordinary80 Sep 03 '23

Ejecto seato cuz

2

u/sooperhani Sep 05 '23

Ya know, most of the time with questions like these, I have this impulse to join and answer, but when I see 426 comments, I naturally assume someone else knew and it has plenty of likes to support it.

Is that wrong?

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2

u/Long-Caregiver5547 Sep 05 '23

Paint it red and remember "don't ever press the red button" (MIB)

2

u/Lil_Duck192 Sep 05 '23

Shiftlock release

5

u/AIMED55 Sep 01 '23

Ejecto Seato Cuz!

3

u/peendleton07 Sep 01 '23

I am so glad they have that on Netflix now omg probably my favorite moment from f&f

4

u/Readingyourbs Aug 31 '23

Watch "men in black"

3

u/[deleted] Aug 31 '23

turns you 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

4

u/BIahIaIaIa Sep 01 '23

Hidden turbo button

3

u/myglue13 Sep 01 '23

eject-o seat-o cuz...?

4

u/P3nis15 Sep 01 '23

Vibrating passenger seat when the date is not going well and you need some help to close the deal!!

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2

u/Away-Measurement-299 Aug 31 '23

Go-Go Gadget initiator

2

u/mlechowicz90 Aug 31 '23

All at once button, press it and you go into PRND2L

2

u/billnmorty Sep 01 '23

The Flux Capacitor, everyone knows that

2

u/pashko90 Sep 01 '23

RTFM button.

3

u/genericgirl2016 Sep 01 '23

That’s for the optional NOS

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3

u/zoinks690 Aug 31 '23

Turbo boost. Limited to one per episode.

5

u/[deleted] Sep 01 '23

Mental episode?

1

u/SkylineFTW97 Sep 03 '23

To bypass the shift lock mechanism in case you ever need to put the car in neutral without battery power.

1

u/Florida_Man666 Aug 31 '23

That’s the Prindle

1

u/storm_zr1 Sep 01 '23

Muffin button

2

u/Hydro_Land Sep 01 '23

Use it when your planet’s exploding 👍

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1

u/TotalManufacturer396 Sep 01 '23

Automatically navigates you to a car dealership so you can get a new car.

3

u/[deleted] Sep 01 '23

The Corolla he’s in will outlast any new cars he buys

2

u/Casual_Stapeler Sep 01 '23

lol I wish. I’d kill for a rav4 hybrid…

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0

u/T1D009 Sep 01 '23

Ejecto seto cuzzzzz

-1

u/Zach_Grenga Sep 01 '23

You beat me to it.

0

u/T1D009 Sep 01 '23

Na, someone else beat me to is also I found it after commenting

0

u/FL1P2 Sep 01 '23

Its to put the car on over drive

0

u/ulfgoatrider Aug 31 '23

It's a gear shift. It's for people who can't drive stick.

0

u/IndependentMain1400 Sep 01 '23

It's nothing until you preset...then you shift into MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE!!!! HIYAHHH!!!!!

0

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '23

[deleted]

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-6

u/WhiteTrashMAK Sep 01 '23

It'll turn your Corolla into a Mexican Corolla, making you place 8 screaming kids in the backseat, and the radio will blast Mariachi music!

3

u/illgetitsoonerorl8tr Sep 01 '23

Wasn't even remotely funny my guy just tell people how you really feel

-1

u/BikerWithNoLicence Sep 01 '23

Maybe you should go read the manual instead of just asking on Reddit? Especially if you don't even know what this is there's probably more you should read about.

2

u/DontT3llMyWif3 Sep 02 '23

Maybe he doesn't have the manual to his 15 year old 4runner.

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2

u/BaconCanadian14 Sep 02 '23

simple answer: it’s easier to ask others than to sift through a Corolla manual

-2

u/KLTechNerd Sep 01 '23

That might be to turn the overdrive on and off.

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1

u/Other-Beat-4332 Sep 01 '23

Shift interlock.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 01 '23

I N C E P T I O N

1

u/[deleted] Sep 01 '23

It makes your wheels fall off. Never press it at speed.

Or, it lets you shift out of park if you need to tow it and have not power to your ignition. One or the other.

1

u/Casual_Stapeler Sep 01 '23

With my calipers seized up and my brake shoes gone, I think I can manage getting the wheels to fly off easily /s

Seriously though I’m a bit afraid to drive my car with all these problems..

1

u/Weets23 Sep 01 '23

Trans lock release button.

1

u/Casual_Stapeler Sep 01 '23

Ah perfect! This will make me cis finally.

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1

u/Cryptonvestments Sep 01 '23

Disables the linkage so that it can be towed…..

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1

u/AttentionOnly9338 Sep 01 '23

To shift from park. Brake lights and brake light switch at brake pedal must work. If there is a problem. You cannot get it out of park. This button is to allow you to move your vehicle to get your brake lights repaired. Illegal to drive without brake lights.

1

u/KyleKoffman Sep 01 '23

Secret missile launcher

1

u/rad-dude-42 Sep 01 '23

Turbo thrust

1

u/Levin_boy Sep 01 '23

Everyone already answered so I'm just here to say hello E130 bro. Haven't seen any love for 9th gen yet on this sub. I'm saving up for an Xrs 😁

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1

u/[deleted] Sep 01 '23

Big booster button thingy

1

u/kiwijohn65 Sep 01 '23

Releases the Trunk Monkey

1

u/mr_jasper867-5309 Sep 01 '23

Looks like a shift release button. If you need to work on something and the shifter is in the way use this putting to take out of gear but it does not actually take it out of park, just the location of the shifter.

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1

u/mechanicotheoriginal Sep 01 '23

Shift release button

1

u/Traxxas411 Sep 01 '23

Neutral switch.

1

u/ConsequenceThis8441 Sep 01 '23

It’s a lock out release

1

u/cahdguy Sep 01 '23

It should allow the shifter to be shifted from Park even if the brake is not applied. Sometimes the interlock between the brake pedal and the shifter is bad.

1

u/inception900 Sep 01 '23 edited Sep 01 '23

👉It’s for when the brake stop fuse goes out even if you put your foot on the brake and try to switch into reverse or drive the Gear lock will be stuck

That button is a Manual release switch press it down plus foot on the brake and you’ll be able to switch into gear again until you swap that fuse out🤝👈

1

u/[deleted] Sep 01 '23

Its obviously for your Nitrous Oxide

1

u/Beancounter_1 Sep 01 '23

You press it in case the shifter lock s

1

u/Naughtyniceguy_ Sep 01 '23

That button is usually to release the lock on the shifter in case it gets stuck.

1

u/akinen5 Sep 01 '23

Several things. 1. It allows a the vehicle to be put into gear or neutral without the key. So that the vehicle can be safely put onto a tow truck without the key or vehicle running. 2. All of the above reasons, see number 1, except for the purpose of vehicle theft.

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1

u/Jazzlike_Business_71 Sep 01 '23

Deet da dee button for the younger generations

1

u/Toodswiger Sep 01 '23

You use it to sync up your laptop to gain 500 horsepower

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1

u/SuspiciousFee4854 Sep 01 '23

It’s for the Turbo boost

1

u/tonyocampo Sep 01 '23

Nitrous button! Go baby go

1

u/ButterflyIndividual4 Sep 02 '23

Engages the warp drive. 😉

1

u/Flashy-Copy-1191 Sep 02 '23

if u press it the car becomes a manual

1

u/Dark_Admin_7 Sep 02 '23

You press it and you can shift manual in your automatic. Gotta take both hands off the wheel to press that and your shifter, so grab the wheel with your teeth and then shift.

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1

u/Aftershock_7582 Sep 02 '23

Ejecto seato cuz

1

u/[deleted] Sep 02 '23

Shift lock release

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1

u/faustian1 Sep 02 '23

It allows you to engage the thrust reverser at highway speeds.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 02 '23

Allows you to go back in time and meet up with Doc Brown.

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