Get Replacing light bulbs Guide for Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door First Generation (2007-2016)

Replacing light bulbs

ꢀ Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Indicator light

Information on light bulb replacement

Replacing light bulbs in the Halogen headlight

Replacing light bulbs in the HID-High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) headlight

Replacing light bulbs in the front bumper

Replacing light bulbs in the rear hatch

Replacing light bulbs in the vehicle body

Replacing license plate lights

Replacing the light bulb in the backup lamp

Replacing 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

authorized 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) lamps 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

Service 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. Specifications 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 motorists.

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 compartment. 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) get power from a high voltage source that can

cause severe personal injury and even death if handled improperly.

H7/H15 bulbs and HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) are under high pressure and can

explode if handled improperly.

ꢀ

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 headlight 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 performed 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 Intensity Discharge (Xenon)

lamps and H7/H15 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 messages 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. Luggage compartment cover

3. Set the electronic parking brake to help prevent the vehicle from moving ⇒ꢀ Braking and parking.

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

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

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

7. Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch ⇒ꢀ Starting and stopping the engine.

8. Manual transmission: Engage a gear ⇒ꢀ Shifting.

9. Let orientation lighting go out ⇒ꢀ Lights.

10.Let the burned out light bulb cool down.

11.Check if the fuse is blown ⇒ꢀ Fuses.

12.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.

13.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

reducing the brightness.

14.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.

15.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 safety practices and use common

sense.

NOTICE

Always insert and remove lamps carefully to avoid damage to the vehicle paint or to other

parts of the vehicle.

Replacing light bulbs in the Halogen headlight

Fig. 204 In the engine compartment: Cover 1 on the left headlight for the low beam bulb holder 3 and cover 2

for the parking light bulb holder 4, turn signal bulb holder 5 and high beam or daytime running light bulb 6.

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The following instructions only apply to vehicles with halogen headlight bulbs. Contact your authorized

Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance with HID headlight

replacement.

Only perform these steps in the specified order:

fig. 204

Low beam

headlight

Parking light

Turn signal

High beam

headlight or

daytime running

light

1.

2.

3.

Please review and follow the checklist

Open the engine hood ꢁ

Turn the cover (1)

A on the back of

the headlight

counterclockwise

until it stops and

remove the cover.

Remove the rubber cover (2) A on the back of the headlight.

Only perform these steps in the specified order:

fig. 204

Low beam

headlight

Parking light

Turn signal

High beam

headlight or

daytime running

light

4.

Turn the bulb

holder (3) B

Unclip the bulb

holder (4) B

upward out of the B upward out of the

Unclip the parking

light bulb holder (4)

Turn the bulb (6) B

counterclockwise

until it stops and

counterclockwise

until it stops and

remove it toward

the rear with the

bulb.

guide and remove guide and remove it remove it toward the

it toward the rear

with the bulb.

toward the rear with

the bulb.

rear.

Turn the turn signal

bulb holder (5) B

counterclockwise

until it stops and

remove it toward the

rear with the bulb.

5.

If necessary, press the locking mechanism on the bulb holder

and pull the bulb straight out of the bulb holder.

6.

7.

Replace the burned out light bulb with a new bulb of the same type.

Reinsert the bulb

holder (3) B into

the headlight and

turn it clockwise

until it stops.

Reinsert the bulb

holder (4) B into

the headlight and

clip it into the

guide.

Reinsert the turn

signal bulb holder

(5) B into the

headlight and turn it

clockwise until it

stop.

Reinsert the bulb (6)

B into the headlight

and turn it clockwise

until it stops.

Insert the parking

light bulb holder (4)

B into the headlight

and clip it into the

guide.

Install the cover (1)

A on the back of

the headlight

(retainer vertical)

and turn it

8.

Install the rubber cover (2) A.

clockwise until it

stops.

The illustrations show the left headlight assembly from the rear. The right headlight assembly is

the mirror image of the left headlight assembly.

Different models may have different lights, and the location and design of covers, bulb holders,

and bulbs may be in a different location than shown in the illustrations.

You cannot replace the LEDs in LED daytime running lights. Contact your authorized

Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

Replacing light bulbs in the HID-High Intensity Discharge (Xenon)

headlight

Fig. 205 In the engine compartment: Cover 1 on the left headlight for the turn signal bulb holder 2 and the

cornering light bulb holder 3.

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The headlight does not need to removed in order to replace the bulb.

Contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for

assistance with HID headlight replacement.

Only perform these steps in the specified order:

Turn signal

Cornering light

⇒ꢀfig. 205

1.

2.

3.

4.

Follow the checklist and perform the steps

Open the hood ꢁ

Remove the rubber cover (1) A on the side of the headlight.

Turn the bulb holder (2) B

counterclockwise until it stops and

remove it toward the rear with the

bulb.

Turn the bulb holder (3) B

counterclockwise until it stops and

remove it toward the rear with the bulb.

5.

6.

If necessary, press the locking mechanism on the bulb holder and 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.

8.

Reinsert the bulb holder in the headlight and turn it clockwise until it stops.

Install the rubber cover (1) A.

The illustrations show the left headlight assembly from the rear. The right headlight assembly is

the mirror image of the left headlight assembly.

Different models may have different lights, and the location and design of covers, bulb holders,

and bulbs may be in a different location than shown in the illustrations.

You cannot replace the LEDs in LED daytime running lights. Contact your authorized

Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

Replacing light bulbs in the front bumper

Fig. 206 In right front bumper: Removing light assembly.

Fig. 207 Replacing light bulb in headlight.

ꢀ 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 wire bracket from the vehicle tool kit and secure it in the opening in the cover

⇒ꢀfig. 206. Pull the cover upward in the direction of the arrow.

Please carry out each step only in the order specified:

3.

4.

5.

Remove the screw (1) using the flat blade of the screwdriver in the vehicle tool kit

Remove the headlight.

Release the connector ⇒ꢀfig. 207 (1) and disconnect it.

6.

Turn the bulb holder (2) counterclockwise in the direction of the arrow until it stops and

remove it toward the rear with the bulb.

7.

8.

9.

Replace the burned out light bulb with a new bulb of the same type.

Insert the bulb holder into the headlight assembly and turn it clockwise until it stops.

Connect the connector (1) on the bulb holder (2). You must hear the connector click into

place.

10.

11.

Insert the headlight.

Tighten the screw ⇒ꢀfig. 206 (1) with the screwdriver.

Install cover in the bumper ⇒ꢀfig. 206.

12.

Replacing light bulbs in the rear hatch

Fig. 208 In the rear hatch: Removing the cover and 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.

Please review and follow the checklist

Open the rear hatch

Please carry out each step only in the order specified:

3.

Using the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit carefully pry the cover off with the flat blade

of the screw driver inserted in the opening ⇒ꢀfig. 208 A (arrow).

Remove the red locking mechanism (2) B as illustrated and disconnect the electrical

connector with the lever pressed down (1) B.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Press the locking tab (4) B in the direction of the arrow and remove the bulb holder (3) B.

Replace burned out rear light bulb with a bulb that is identical to the one being replaced.

Insert the bulb holder. You must hear the locking tab click into place.

Insert the electrical connector into the bulb holder until it clicks into place. Press the red

locking mechanism (2) B back in.

8.

9.

Insert the cover. The cover must lock into place and be secure.

LEDs in the rear lights

Changing LEDs is not possible without dismantling vehicle components. Contact an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Taillights with LEDs may also have some “standard” light bulbs. These bulbs can be replaced.

Different models may have different lights, and the location and design of covers, bulb holders,

and bulbs may be in a different location than shown in the illustrations.

Replacing light bulbs in the vehicle body

Fig. 209 In the side of the luggage compartment: Releasing the tail light, removing the trim panel and

removing the screws.

Fig. 210 Removed tail light: Removing the bulb holder and replacing the tail light and brake light bulb 3 or turn

signal bulb 4.

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Please perform these steps only in the order listed.

Removing the tail lights

1.

2.

3.

Please review and follow the checklist

Open the rear hatch

Insert the wire bracket from the vehicle tool kit into the small hole in the trim panel

⇒ꢀfig. 209 (2) B. Remove the trim panel in the direction of the arrow using the wire bracket.

4.

5.

Open the side storage compartment in the luggage compartment

Using the Phillips screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit, turn the locking mechanism (1) A

90° counterclockwise until it stops.

6.

7.

Remove the screws (3) C.

Pull the tail light out of the body carefully until the electrical connector is visible.

Remove the red locking mechanism ⇒ꢀfig. 210 (1) D as illustrated and disconnect the

electrical connector with the lever (2) D pressed down.

8.

9.

Lay the tail light on a clean and level surface.

Replacing light bulbs

10.

11.

Remove the screws (4) E.

Remove the bulb holder (3) E from the tail light.

12.

Replace burned out tail light, brake light (5) F or turn signal bulbs (6) F with bulbs that are

identical to the ones being replaced.

13.

Insert the bulb holder in the tail light and screw it in ⇒ꢀfig. 210 E.

Installing the tail lights

14.

Turn the locking mechanism ⇒ꢀfig. 209 (1) A 90° clockwise until it stops.

15.

Insert the electrical connector into the bulb holder until it clicks into place. Press the red

locking mechanism ⇒ꢀfig. 210 (1) D back in.

16.

17.

Insert the tail light into the opening on the body carefully.

Hold the tail light in the correct position with one hand and tighten the screws with the other

hand (3) C.

Insert the trim panel ⇒ꢀfig. 209 (2) B into its original position, first at the bottom and then at

18.

the top.

19.

20.

Close the side storage compartment in the luggage compartment.

Close the rear hatch

LEDs in the rear taillights

Changing LEDs is not possible without dismantling vehicle components. Contact an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Taillights with LEDs may also have some “standard” light bulbs. These bulbs can be replaced.

Different models may have different lights, and the location and design of covers, bulb holders,

and bulbs may be in a different location than shown in the illustrations.

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 the light bulb in the backup lamp

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The light bulbs for the backup lights are “Lifetime” bulbs with a very long service life. If the bulb is

defective, you cannot change it yourself because other vehicle components must be removed.

Defective backup light bulbs should be changed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service facility.

Replacing light bulbs for Your Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door First Generation (2007-2016)

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