2020 Volkswagen Jetta Owners Manual - Exterior lighting

Exterior lighting

Introduction

Before changing a light bulb, check if it is an incandescent bulb or an LED light. Generally, the average person can replace an incandescent bulb. 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 LEDs checked and/or replaced by 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.

• Always read and observe the warnings before performing any work in the engine compartment ⇒ Safety precautions for working in the engine/motor compartment. The engine/motor compartment in any motor vehicle is a potentially dangerous area that can cause serious personal injury.

• Halogen bulbs are under pressure and can break during a bulb change.

• Only change bulbs when they have cooled down completely.

• Never change a light bulb 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.

• 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”.

• Components with sharp edges are located on the headlight housing and on the taillight housing. Protect your hands when changing a light bulb.

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.

“Bulb replacement information” checklist

 Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒ andIntroduction.

Checklist

Always perform the following steps for changing a bulb in the specified sequence :

1. Park the vehicle a safe distance away from moving traffic on level and solid ground as soon as possible.

2. Set the electronic parking brake ⇒ Using the electronic parking brake.

3. Switch the lights off ⇒ Switching the lights on and off.

4. Turn off the turn signal if it is activated ⇒ Switching the turn signals on and off.

5. Automatic transmission: move the selector lever into the P position ⇒ Automatic transmission: selecting the selector lever position.

6. Stop the engine and remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock ⇒ Stopping the engine.

7. Manual transmission: engage a gear ⇒ Manual transmission: Engaging a gear.

8. Allow the orientation lighting to turn off ⇒ “Coming home” and “Leaving home” function (orientation lighting).

9. Allow the affected light bulbs to cool down.

10. Check if you can see that a fuse is burnt out ⇒  Introduction.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Every time a bulb is changed in the front of the vehicle, have the headlight setting checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

WARNING

Failing to heed this checklist that is provided for your own safety can cause accidents and serious injuries.

• Always follow the steps in the checklist and the general safety precautions.

NOTICE

Always remove and insert lights carefully to reduce the risk of damaging the vehicle paint or other vehicle components.

Replacing the turn signal bulb

 Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒ andIntroduction.

Fig. 139 In the right-side of the engine compartment: Rear side of the headlights.

Only perform these steps in the specified order:

1. Follow the checklist and perform the steps ⇒ “Bulb replacement information” checklist.

2. Open the hood ⇒ Safety precautions for working in the engine/motor compartment.

3. Remove rubber cover  fig. 139.

4. Pull out the lamp holder  fig. 139 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.

5. Replace the burned out bulb with a new bulb that is identical to the one being replaced.

6. Carefully insert the lamp holder in the headlight and press it forwards until it perceptibly engages  fig. 139.

7. Press around the circumference of the rubber cover.

8. Close the hood ⇒ Safety precautions for working in the engine/motor compartment.

The illustrations show the right headlight from behind. The left headlight is structured as its mirror image.