Honda 2003 Civic Owner's Manual page 179

Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Release
This allows you to move the shift
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
1. Set the Parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
3. Put a cloth on the edge of the Shift
Lock Release slot cover next to
the shift lever.
Use a small flat-tipped screwdriver
or small metal plate (neither are
included in the tool kit) to remove
the cover. Carefully pry on the
edge of the cover.
178
Driving
COVER
4. Insert the key in the Shift Lock
Release slot.
5. Push down on the key while you
press the release button on the
shift lever and move the shift lever
out of Park to Neutral.
RELEASE BUTTON
SHIFT LOCK
RELEASE SLOT
6. Remove the key from the Shift
Lock Release slot, then reinstall
the cover. Make sure the notch on
the cover is on the left side.
Return the key to the ignition
switch, depress the brake pedal,
and restart the engine.
If you need to use the Shift Lock
Release, it means your car is
developing a problem. Have the car
checked by your Honda dealer.