Replacing light bulbs -> Introduction for Your 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.