These instructions apply to the SsangYong Tivoli Mk1 2015-2022.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
Disconnecting the 12 V battery on your SsangYong Tivoli (2015–2022) is a quick, owner-friendly job that only needs a single spanner and a little patience. You might be doing it to fit a fresh battery after a few reluctant cold starts, to isolate the electrics before the Tivoli sits through a long winter layup, or to make the car safe before you work near the airbags, the pretensioners or the wiring. Take the terminals off in the correct order and the little SsangYong copes without drama — the engine and gearbox controllers quietly relearn their settings as you drive, so the only things you actively put back are the clock, the radio and a couple of convenience features.
Where the 12 V Battery Is
On the Tivoli the 12 V battery lives in the engine compartment, in the usual front corner under a cover. Open the bonnet, lift or unclip that cover, and you will see the battery as a rectangular block with two thick cables clamped to posts on top. Check the terminals before you touch anything: the negative (−) post is normally marked or capped in black, and the positive (+) post in red, usually with a plastic flap protecting it. A hold-down clamp secures the battery in place — leave that alone unless you are lifting the whole battery out for renewal.
Before You Begin
- Turn the ignition fully off, take the key away from the car, and shut the doors so the electrics settle.
- Switch off the lights, heater fan, wipers and any accessories, and unplug chargers from the 12 V sockets.
- Write down your radio security code and preset stations now, before power is removed.
- Give the modules a couple of minutes to power down after switching off.
- Have the right spanner to hand (the clamp nuts are commonly 10 mm), along with gloves and eye protection.
Disconnecting the Battery
- Make sure the ignition is off and every electrical consumer is switched off.
- Slacken the clamp on the negative (−) terminal first and lift the lead off the post, tucking it aside so it cannot flick back.
- Then slacken and remove the positive (+) lead.
- If you are working near the airbags or seat-belt pretensioners, wait a few minutes after disconnecting so the system fully discharges.
Reconnecting the Battery
- Refit the positive (+) lead first and tighten its clamp.
- Refit the negative (−) lead last and tighten it.
- Confirm both clamps are firm — a loose terminal shows up as flickering lights and intermittent electrical gremlins.
What You’ll Need to Reset Afterwards
The Tivoli loses only a little memory when the battery comes off. Expect to restore:
- Clock and radio — set the time again, re-enter your presets and, if prompted, the audio security code.
- Power windows — if a one-touch window will not fully raise or lower on a single tap, hold the switch fully up (then fully down) at the end of its travel for a couple of seconds to reteach it.
- Warning lights — a couple of dash lights may glow at first and clear themselves once you have driven a short way.
A like-for-like battery of the correct size and rating is a straight swap on this generation and does not need coding.
If a Warning Light Stays On or the Car Feels Off
- Recheck that both clamps are tight and seated squarely on the posts.
- Drive a short distance so the engine and gearbox controllers can relearn their idle and shift behaviour.
- Repeat the one-touch window relearn if a window is misbehaving.
- If the old battery was very flat or years old, accept it may simply be worn out and due for renewal.
- Read any stored fault code rather than guessing at the cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the battery on a SsangYong Tivoli?
In the engine compartment, in the usual front corner under a cover. Lift the bonnet, unclip the cover, and you will see the battery with two heavy cables clamped to its top posts.
Which terminal do I disconnect first?
Take the negative (−) terminal off first, then the positive. To reconnect, fit the positive (+) first and the negative last — that order keeps the spanner clear of any accidental short.
What will I need to reset afterwards?
Chiefly the clock and radio presets, plus the security code if the head unit asks for one. A one-touch window may need reteaching, and a stray dash light usually clears after a short drive.
Does a new battery need coding on the Tivoli?
No. On this generation a matching 12 V battery is a direct replacement with no coding or registration step for the owner.
Will disconnecting the battery clear my fault codes or service light?
It can wipe some stored codes and volatile memory, but any fault still present will log again once the car is running. A mileage or time-based service reminder normally needs resetting through its own menu, not by pulling the battery.
Can I jump-start it instead of replacing the battery?
A jump-start will get you moving if the battery is only flat, but if it keeps dying the battery is likely at the end of its life. Fitting a new one is the real fix, and disconnecting to do that is the job covered here.
If a warning light stays on after reconnecting, read the stored code and look it up on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with SsangYong. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.