These instructions apply to the Subaru XV Mk1 (GP) 2012-2017.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
If your first-generation Subaru XV (GP, 2012–2017) won’t crank because of a flat 12-volt battery, you can jump-start it from a booster vehicle. The battery is in the engine compartment, and there is one Subaru-specific detail: the final earth lead goes to a strut-mount nut, not to the battery’s negative post.
How to jump-start the Subaru XV
- Park the booster car nose-to-nose without the two bodies touching. Switch both engines off, apply both parking brakes, and put the manual gearbox in neutral (automatic in P).
- Open the bonnet and find the 12-volt battery in the engine compartment.
- Connect one end of the red lead to the positive (+) terminal of the flat battery.
- Connect the other end of the red lead to the positive (+) terminal of the booster battery.
- Connect one end of the black lead to the negative (−) terminal of the booster battery.
- Connect the other end of the black lead to a strut-mounting nut or other bare metal earth point on the XV — not to the flat battery’s negative post. This keeps any spark away from the battery.
- Check that the leads are clear of belts, the cooling fan and other moving parts.
- Start the booster car and run it at a moderate speed, then start the XV.
- Once the XV is running, remove the four clamps in the exact reverse order.
After a jump-start, drive for a while to recharge, and re-initialise the power windows and sunroof if they lost their settings. If the battery goes flat again it is at the end of its life or there is a charging fault.
Fitting the towing eye and recovering the car
If the XV has to be recovered rather than jump-started, a screw-in towing eye lives in the tool kit. Prise open the small cover in the front or rear bumper and screw the eye in clockwise by hand until the thread disappears and it is tight.
Crucially, never tow an all-wheel-drive XV — manual or CVT automatic — with only one axle raised and the other wheels on the road; it damages the centre differential. Use a flatbed with all four wheels on the bed, or keep all four wheels on the ground for a short, straight pull. The screw-in eye is for pulling the car clear of mud or snow, not for towing on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the battery on a Subaru XV (GP)?
In the engine compartment under the bonnet. Connect the positive jump lead there, but earth the negative lead to a strut nut or bare metal, not to the battery itself.
Can I tow or push-start the XV instead?
No. The XV’s symmetrical all-wheel drive (and the CVT automatic) must not be push- or tow-started — it can damage the transmission. Jump-start it or use a booster pack.
Why earth to a strut nut rather than the battery?
Earthing to a clean metal point away from the battery keeps the small connection spark away from any hydrogen gas around a discharged battery, reducing the risk of ignition.
If a warning light stays on after the jump-start, read the stored code on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Subaru. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.