Exterior lighting
Introduction
Before changing a light bulb, check if it is an incandescent bulb or an LED light. Generally, light bulbs can be replaced by yourself. If the exterior lighting on your vehicle is equipped with LED technology, it is not possible to change LED lights or individual LEDs by yourself. The malfunction of individual LEDs may be an indication that more LEDs will malfunction. If this is the case, have the LEDs checked and/or replaced if necessary by suitably qualified professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Driving with exterior lighting that is inoperative may be against the law.
Additional bulb specifications
Some bulbs in the headlights or in the taillights may have certain manufacturer specifications that differ from conventional light bulbs. The respective name will be on the bulb socket or glass bulb.
WARNING
Accidents can occur if the road is not well lit and the vehicle cannot be seen by others on the road, or is very difficult to see by others.
WARNING
Changing the bulbs incorrectly can cause accidents and serious injuries.
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Always read and observe the warnings before performing any work in the engine compartment. The engine compartment in any motor vehicle is a potentially dangerous area that can cause serious personal injury.
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Be aware that halogen bulbs are under pressure and can break during bulb replacement.
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Only change bulbs when they have cooled down completely.
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Never perform a bulb replacement if you are not familiar with the required procedures. If you are not sure what to do, have the work performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility qualified in this respect. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
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Do not touch the glass bulb with bare fingers. Fingerprints on the bulb will vaporize from the heat when the light is switched on and will cause the reflector to “darken”.
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Components with sharp edges are located on the headlight housing and on the taillight housing. Protect your hands during bulb replacement.
NOTICE
If the rubber cover or plastic covers on the headlight housing were not installed correctly after a bulb change, this could cause damage to the electrical system, especially if water enters.
Information about replacing bulbs
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice 
and
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Always perform the following steps for changing a bulb in the specified sequence :
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Park the vehicle a safe distance away from moving traffic on level and solid ground as soon as possible.
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Set the electronic parking brake.
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Switch the lights off.
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Turn off the turn signal if it is activated.
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Move the selector lever into the P position.
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Switch the ignition off.
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Allow the orientation lighting to turn off.
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Allow the affected light bulbs to cool down.
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Check if you can see that a fuse is burnt out.
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Change the affected light bulb according to the instructions
. A light bulb may only be replaced with the same type of light bulb. The respective name will be on the bulb socket or glass bulb. -
Never touch a glass light bulb with bare hands. The fingerprints left behind would vaporize from the heat when the bulb is switched on and condense on the reflector, which would then reduce the headlight brightness.
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Check the bulb function after a bulb is changed. If the bulb does not function, the bulb may not have been inserted correctly, may have fallen out, or the connector may not have been plugged in correctly.
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After every bulb replacement in the front of the vehicle, have the headlight adjustment checked by suitably qualified professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
WARNING
Failing to follow these instructions, which are provided for your own safety, can cause accidents and serious injuries.
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Always follow the steps in the instructions and the general safety precautions.
NOTICE
To reduce the risk of damage to the vehicle paint or to other vehicle components, please note the following:
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Always be careful when removing and inserting the lights.
Replacing the bulbs for the taillights in the body
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice and.
Fig. 177 Side of the luggage compartment: removing the taillight.
Removing the taillight
Only perform these steps in the specified order:
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Follow the checklist and perform the steps.
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Open the trunk lid.
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Lift off the ventilation grille at the recess (thin arrow) with a suitable tool, e.g. a screwdriver, and remove it in the direction of the arrow.
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Remove the red securing clip fig. 177
on the connector and unlock and remove the connector fig. 177 
. If necessary, use a suitable screwdriver to loosen the red locking mechanism. -
Remove the screw counterclockwise fig. 177
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Carefully pull the taillight toward the rear and out of the body.
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Remove the taillight and place it on a clean, flat surface.
Replacing a bulb
Only perform these steps in the specified order:
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Turn the bulb holder counterclockwise until it stops and then remove it carefully from the taillight with the bulb.
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Replace the burned out bulb with a new bulb that is identical to the one being replaced.
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Insert the bulb holder carefully in the taillight and turn clockwise until the bulb holder locks into place.
Installing the taillight
Only perform these steps in the specified order:
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Insert the taillight carefully into the opening on the body.
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Hold the taillight in the installation position with one hand and tighten the screw with the other hand fig. 177
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Make sure the taillight is installed correctly and is secure.
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Connect the connector to the bulb holder and press in the red securing clip fig. 177
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Close the section of the side trim panel in the luggage compartment near the taillight in the opposite direction of the arrow.
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Close the trunk lid.
The illustration shows the left taillight. The right taillight housing is a mirror image of the left.
There are different versions of the taillights. The locations and versions of the bulb holders and bulbs may vary from the images.
Replacing the bulb for a turn signal
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice and.
Fig. 178 In the right-side of the engine compartment: Rear side of the headlights.
Only perform these steps in the specified order:
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Follow the checklist and perform the steps.
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Open the hood
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Remove rubber cover fig. 178
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Pull out the lamp holder fig. 178
by the handle in the direction of the arrow. At the same time, press the handle slightly up and down alternately, in order to aid removal. -
Replace the burned out bulb with a new bulb that is identical to the one being replaced.
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Carefully insert the lamp holder in the headlight and press it forwards until it perceptibly engages fig. 178.
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Press around the circumference of the rubber cover.
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Close the hood
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The figures show the right headlight. The left headlight is structured as its mirror image.