Get Replacing light bulbs Guide for Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

Replacing light bulbs

¤ Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Indicator light

Information on light bulb replacement

Replacing headlight bulbs

Replacing light bulbs in the front bumper

Replacing light bulbs in the front bumper (CC R-Line)

Replacing taillight bulbs in the luggage compartment lid

Replacing taillight bulbs in the vehicle body

Replacing license plate lights

Changing a light bulb requires a certain amount of skill. If you are

uncertain about how to proceed, Volkswagen recommends having the

light bulb changed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an author-

ized Volkswagen Service Facility. Special training and knowledge are

generally required when other vehicle parts must be disassembled to

replace a bulb, or when HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon)

headlights must be replaced.

You should always keep a box in the vehicle with all the replacement

bulbs required for traffic safety. Replacement bulbs are available from

your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Ser-

vice Facility. The laws of some countries explicitly require you to have

replacement bulbs in the vehicle.

Driving with outside lights that do not work may be against the law.

Additional light bulb specifications

Some factory-installed light bulbs in the headlights or the rear lights

may have different specifications than conventional light bulbs. Speci-

fications are on the glass bulb or on the metal base.

More information:

Exterior views

Lights and vision

Working in the engine compartment

Vehicle tool kit

Fuses

WARNING

Crashes and other accidents can happen when you cannot see

the road ahead and when you cannot be seen by other motor-

ists.

WARNING

Improper replacement of burned out headlights and other light

bulbs can cause serious personal injury.

Stop! Always read and heed the WARNINGS before doing any

work in the engine compartment ⇒ꢀ Working in the engine com-

partment. The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a

potentially dangerous area, and work in this area can lead to

serious personal injury.

HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) headlights get power

from a high voltage source that can cause severe personal inju-

ry and even death if handled improperly.

H7 bulbs and HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) head-

lights are under high pressure and can explode if handled im-

properly.

Always let a burned out light bulb cool down before replacing

it.

Never replace a light bulb unless you are familiar with all of

the necessary procedures. In particular, never remove a head-

light unless you know exactly how to carry out the job and have

the correct tools and light bulbs.

If you are uncertain about what to do, have the work per-

formed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified workshop.

Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed

work.

We strongly recommend that you always have HID – High In-

tensity Discharge (Xenon) headlights and H7 bulbs replaced by

a qualified technician.

Do not touch the glass of light bulbs with your bare hands.

Fingerprints left on the bulb evaporate due to the heat when the

bulb is switched on and cause the reflector to “cloud.”

There are sharp edges on and around the headlight housing

in the engine compartment and the rear light housing. Wear

hand protection if you replace bulbs.

NOTICE

After replacing a headlight bulb or other light bulb, always make

sure that the rubber covers or plastic caps have been properly

and securely reinstalled to help prevent water from getting into

the electrical connections and headlight housing and damaging

the electrical system.

Indicator light

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Lights

up

Possible cause

Proper response

Light bulb of the exterior

vehicle lighting not working.

Replace the light bulb that isn't

working.

ꢀ

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights

come on briefly for a function check. They go out after a few seconds.

WARNING

Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text mes-

sages can cause the vehicle to break down in traffic and result

in a collision and serious personal injury.

Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.

Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

NOTICE

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in

vehicle damage.

Failure of a single LED within a taillight is not indicated. However,

the ꢀ indicator light will come on if all LEDs fail.

Information on light bulb replacement

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Checklist

Steps for replacing a light bulb. Please carry out these steps only in

the order listed ⇒ꢀ

.

1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place on level and firm ground at a safe

distance from traffic.

2. Set the electronic parking brake to help prevent the vehicle from

moving ⇒ꢀ Braking and parking.

3. Turn the light switch to 0 position ⇒ꢀ Lights.

4. Move the turn signal lever to neutral position ⇒ꢀ Lights.

5. Automatic transmission: Shift the transmission into Park (P) ⇒ꢀ

Shifting.

6. Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch ⇒ꢀ

Starting and stopping the engine.

7. Manual transmission: Engage a gear ⇒ꢀ Shifting.

8. Let orientation lighting go out ⇒ꢀ Lights.

9. Let the burned out light bulb cool down.

10.

11.

Check if the fuse is blown ⇒ꢀpage Fuses.

Replace the burned out light bulb according to instructions ⇒ꢀ

. Always replace a burned-out light bulb with a good bulb with the

same specifications. Specifications are on the glass bulb or on the

metal base.

12.

Never touch the glass of the light bulb with your bare hands.

Fingerprints can cloud the outer surface of the light bulb when

heated, affecting the lighting power, clouding the reflector, and re-

ducing the brightness.

13.

Always make sure that the new bulb works. If the bulb does

not work, it may not be installed correctly; the connection plug may

not be completely seated; the corresponding fuse may be burned

out; or the bulb may be bad.

14.

Always have the headlights adjusted by an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility

after a headlight bulb has been replaced.

WARNING

Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents

and serious personal injuries.

Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safe-

ty practices and use common sense.

NOTICE

Always insert and remove lamps carefully to help prevent dam-

age to the vehicle paint or to other parts of the vehicle.

Replacing headlight bulbs

Fig. 200 In the engine compartment: Cover for cornering light, day-

time running light, parking light and turn signal 1, HID headlights 2.

Fig. 201 Removing and installing the bulbs for the daytime running

light and parking light 3, cornering light 4 or turn signal 5.

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

The headlight does not need to be removed in order to replace the

bulb.

Only perform these steps in the specified order:

Replacing the daytime running light bulb and parking light bulb

In some models, the daytime running lights and parking lights use

LEDs. The LEDs are a component of the headlight and cannot be

replaced. See your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized ser-

vice facility for assistance.

1.

2.

3.

Please review and follow the checklist

Open the hood

Pull the rubber cover on the rear side of the headlight to the

side ⇒ꢀfig. 200 (1).

4.

Remove the bulb holder ⇒ꢀfig. 201 (3) with the bulb and pull it

toward the rear out of the headlight housing.

5.

6.

Pull the bulb straight out of the bulb holder.

Replace burned out bulbs with new bulbs that are identical to

the ones being replaced.

7. Insert the bulb holder with the new bulb in the original position

in the headlight housing (3).

8.

Install the rubber cover ⇒ꢀfig. 200 (1).

Replacing the cornering light bulb

1.

2.

3.

Please review and follow the checklist

Open the hood

Pull the rubber cover on the rear side of the headlight to the

side (1).

Press in the direction of the arrow to remove the bulb holder

⇒ꢀfig. 201 (4) with the bulb and pull it toward the rear out of

the headlight housing.

4.

5.

6.

Pull the bulb straight out of the bulb holder.

Replace burned out bulbs with new bulbs that are identical to

the ones being replaced.

Insert the bulb holder with the new bulb in the original position

in the headlight housing (4) and press opposite to the direc-

tion of the arrow. The front of the bulb holder must fit correctly

in the cutout on the headlight housing ⇒ꢀfig. 201 (arrow).

7.

9.

Install the rubber cover ⇒ꢀfig. 200 (1).

Replacing the turn signal bulb

1.

2.

3.

Please review and follow the checklist

Open the hood

Pull the rubber cover on the rear side of the headlight to the

side (1).

4.

Press downward to remove the bulb holder ⇒ꢀfig. 201 (5) with

the bulb and pull it toward the rear out of the headlight hous-

ing.

5.

6.

Pull the bulb straight out of the bulb holder.

Replace burned out bulbs with new bulbs that are identical to

the ones being replaced.

7. Insert the bulb holder with the new bulb in the original position

in the headlight housing (5) and press upward.

8.

Install the rubber cover ⇒ꢀfig. 200 (1).

Replacing the HID bulb

See your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility for assistance in replacing the HID bulb (2).

The illustrations show the right headlight from behind. The left

headlight is arranged as a mirror image of the right.

Failure of a single LED within a headlight is not indicated. How-

ever, the ꢀ indicator light will appear if all LEDs fail.

Different models may have different lights, and the location and

design of covers, bulb holders, and bulbs may be in a different loca-

tion than shown in the illustrations.

You cannot replace the LEDs in LED daytime running lights. Con-

tact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility for assistance.

Replacing light bulbs in the front bumper

Fig. 202 In the left front bumper: Fog light.

Fig. 203 In the removed light: Replacing the bulb.

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Please carry out each step only in the order specified:

1.

2.

Please review and follow the checklist

Remove the screw ⇒ꢀfig. 202 (1) using the screwdriver from

the vehicle tool kit

Press the tab (2) upward in the direction indicated by the ar-

row to release the retainer.

3.

Please carry out each step only in the order specified:

Pull the cover ⇒ꢀfig. 202 forward out of the bumper in the di-

4.

rection indicated by the arrow.

5. Remove the screws (3) using the screwdriver from the vehicle

tool kit.

6.

7.

8.

Pull the light downward and then forward out of the bumper.

Release the connector ⇒ꢀfig. 203 (4) and disconnect it.

Turn the bulb (5) counterclockwise until it stops and then re-

move.

9.

Replace burned out bulbs with new bulbs that are identical to

the ones being replaced.

10.

Insert the bulb (5) in the housing and turn clockwise until it

reaches the original position.

11.

12.

Check if the bulb is installed securely.

Connect the connector (4) on the bulb so that it clicks into

place.

13.

14.

Insert the light into the bumper.

Install the screws ⇒ꢀfig. 202 (3).

Insert the cover in the bumper opposite the direction indicated

15.

16.

by the arrow ⇒ꢀfig. 202. The tab (2) must lock in place.

Install the screw (1).

The illustrations show the left fog light. The right fog light is ar-

ranged as a mirror image of the left.

Different models may have different lights, and the location and

design of covers, bulb holders, and bulbs may be in a different loca-

tion than shown in the illustrations.

Replacing light bulbs in the front bumper (CC R-Line)

Fig. 204 In the right front bumper: Fog light.

Fig. 205 In the removed light: Replacing the bulb.

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Please carry out each step only in the order specified:

1.

Please review and follow the checklist

2. Remove the screwdriver and the wire bracket from the vehicle

tool kit in the luggage compartment

Please carry out each step only in the order specified:

Insert the wire bracket into the opening ⇒ꢀfig. 204 (1) on the

cover and pull it forward in the direction of the arrow with the

3.

cover and remove.

4.

6.

7.

8.

Remove the screws (2) with the screwdriver.

Pull the light out slightly.

Release the connector ⇒ꢀfig. 205 (1) and disconnect it.

Turn the bulb holder (2) counterclockwise until it stops and

then it remove it toward the rear with the bulb.

9.

Replace burned out bulbs with new bulbs that are identical to

the ones being replaced.

10.

Insert the bulb holder in the headlight and turn it clockwise

until it stops.

11.

12.

Check if the bulb is installed securely.

Connect the connector (1) on the bulb so that it clicks into

place.

13.

14.

Insert the light into the bumper.

Install the screws ⇒ꢀfig. 204 (2).

Insert the cover in the bumper opposite the direction indicated

by the arrow ⇒ꢀfig. 204. The cover must click into place

securely.

15.

16.

Make sure the cover is installed securely.

The illustrations show the right fog light. The left fog light is ar-

ranged as a mirror image of the right.

Replacing taillight bulbs in the luggage compartment lid

Fig. 206 In the luggage compartment lid: Removing the cover.

Fig. 207 In the luggage compartment lid: Removing the bulb holder.

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Please carry out each step only in the order specified:

1.

2.

3.

Please review and follow the checklist

Open the luggage compartment lid

Carefully pry the cover off ⇒ꢀfig. 206 using the flat screwdriver

blade from the vehicle tool kit ⇒ꢀfig. 185.

4.

Turn the bulb holder approximately 30° counterclockwise and

remove it with the bulb.

Please carry out each step only in the order specified:

5.

6.

7.

Replace burned out bulbs with new bulbs that are identical to

the ones being replaced.

Insert the bulb holder in the taillight and turn it approximately

30° clockwise. The bulb holder must click into place.

Insert the cover. The cover must lock into place and be se-

cure.

LEDs in the taillights in the luggage compartment lid

LEDs cannot be replaced. Contact your authorized Volkswagen deal-

er or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

Different models may have different lights, and the location and

design of covers, bulb holders, and bulbs may be in a different loca-

tion than shown in the illustrations.

Replacing taillight bulbs in the vehicle body

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

LEDs in the taillights

Changing LEDs is not possible without dismantling vehicle compo-

nents. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

Replacing license plate lights

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed

the WARNINGS

Your vehicle is equipped with LED license plate lights. Individual LED

lights cannot be replaced. It is not possible to replace the LED unit

without dismantling vehicle components. Please see an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for

assistance.

Replacing light bulbs for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

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