I had to replace the front center arm rest (raccoon got in and chewed it up). When I popped out the little plastic armrest hinge cover I found this mysterious gadget shown in the attached photo.
I undid the nylon lanyard, slid back the lock and flipped out the handle but successfully resisted the urge to pull the device out "just to see".
Yes, it's the manual park release. Had to use it on day one when the tranny locked itself in park after pumping all its fluid out the hole in the cooler line. Had to get it in neutral so the flatbed could take it.
We were camped at Fort Desoto County Park in St. Pete, FL which is practically overrun by the little bastards. Lots of signs warning campers to keep food secure and car windows up.
I left a window part way down overnight. In the morning there was a raccoon sitting in the front seat, the arm rest was all chewed up and raccoon crap all over the interior. Thank goodness he didn't eat the seats.
Real PITA to clean up plus $225 for a new armrest.
In related news... We were sitting in the car on the side of the road in another FL park when a tree branch fell on the hood. A small dent but the aluminum hood can't be bumped out and repaired with bondo. $1385 ($250 deductible for me) for that little oopsie.