1996 Mercury Tracer Owner's Manual - Page 195

Your vehicle has a special shift-lock safety feature which prevents you from shifting out of P (Park) without the brake pedal depressed. To shift the transaxle out of the P (Park) position, the ignition must be in the ON position, the battery must be supplying electrical power, and your foot must be pressing on the brake pedal. In the unlikely event that you cannot move the selector lever from the P (Park) position with the brake pedal depressed, continue depressing the brake. Then: 1. Remove the shift-lock override cap with a 1" or longer screwdriver. Shift-lock override 2. Insert the screwdriver into the shift-lock override opening and push the screwdriver handle down. NOTE: You may use the override handle provided in your Owner Guide portfolio in place of a screwdriver. 195