These instructions apply to the Chevrolet Trax Mk1 2013-2016.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
Disconnecting the 12 V battery on your Chevrolet Trax (2013–2016) is a simple bit of home maintenance that needs little more than a spanner and a careful hand. Owners reach for it when fitting a fresh battery, laying the little crossover up for winter, working near the airbags or wiring, or resetting the electrics after a jump-start. There is nothing to fear: provided you break and remake the connections in the correct order, the Trax powers down and relearns its settings cleanly, and the only casualties are a few presets you can key straight back in.
Where the 12 V Battery Is
The 12 V battery on the Trax is in the engine compartment, in the usual front corner under a cover. Raise the bonnet, prop it securely, and lift away the plastic trim or clamp bracket over the terminals. Pick out the posts before you start: the negative (−) is the black earth lead running to the body, and the positive (+) is the red post, normally under a hinged red cap. Confirming which is which is the whole secret to a tidy, spark-free job.
First, a Few Checks
- Turn the ignition fully off, keep the key well away from the car, and close the doors so the electrics settle.
- Switch off the lights, blower, radio and accessories so the battery carries no load.
- Note the radio security code, presets and clock in case the head unit asks for the code when power returns.
- Allow a couple of minutes for the control modules to power down before disconnecting.
- Have the correct spanner ready, and wear gloves and eye protection at the terminals.
Disconnecting the Battery
- Make sure the ignition is off and every consumer is switched off.
- Loosen the clamp on the negative (−) terminal first, ease the lead off, and move it aside so it cannot spring back onto the post.
- Now undo the positive (+) lead and keep it clear of any bare metal.
- If you are working near the airbags or seat-belt pretensioners, wait a few minutes after disconnecting before going near them.
Reconnecting and Re-initialising
- Fit the positive (+) terminal first and tighten the clamp fully.
- Fit the negative (−) terminal last and tighten it — a loose earth causes most niggling faults afterwards.
- Check both clamps are firm and close the covers.
What You’ll Need to Reset Afterwards
The Trax needs a few items relearned once power comes back:
- Power windows — the one-touch function usually needs re-initialising; hold each switch at the fully closed and fully open limits for a moment. The steps are in our window guide below.
- Clock and radio — re-enter the time and preset stations, and the security code if it is requested.
- Warning lights — any that show at first generally self-clear once the car has driven a short distance.
A like-for-like 12 V battery of the correct size and rating fits without any special coding on this model.
If a Warning Light Stays On or the Car Feels Off
- Check both clamps are tight and clean — a poor earth mimics a range of electrical faults.
- Take a short drive so the modules relearn and settle.
- Redo the window relearn if one-touch has not returned.
- Rule out a genuinely flat or worn battery — reconnecting will not revive one that was already failing.
- If a light stays on, it has stored a code — read it and look it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the battery on a Chevrolet Trax?
In the engine compartment, in the usual front corner under a cover. Lift the bonnet, take off the trim over the terminals, and you will find the negative (−) black lead and the positive (+) red post under its cap.
Which terminal do I disconnect first?
The negative (−) comes off first and goes back on last; the positive (+) is reconnected first. Sticking to that order keeps you clear of sparks and short circuits.
What needs resetting afterwards?
Chiefly the one-touch power windows, plus the clock and radio presets and, if prompted, the security code. A stray warning light usually clears itself after a short drive.
Does a new battery need coding on the Trax?
No. A like-for-like replacement of the correct size and rating simply fits and works — there is no dealer coding step for a standard 12 V battery on this model.
Will disconnecting the battery clear stored fault codes?
It can clear some temporary codes and reset adaptations, but a genuine fault will log its code again as soon as the car sees the condition. It is not a repair by itself.
Can I jump-start it instead of disconnecting?
Yes — to get going after a flat battery a jump-start avoids disconnecting at all. You would only remove the battery for renewal, storage, or electrical work.
To relearn the windows, see our Trax power-window initialisation guide. If a warning light stays on, decode it on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Chevrolet. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.