2022 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, 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 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 compartment. The engine compartment in any motor vehicle is a potentially dangerous area that can cause serious personal injury.

• Be aware that halogen bulbs are under pressure and can break during bulb replacement.

• Only change affected bulbs when they have cooled down completely.

• 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.

• 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 during bulb replacement.

NOTICE

Water entering the headlight housing can damage the electrical system.

• After a bulb replacement, always fit the covers on the headlight housing.

• Always check whether the covers have been fitted correctly.

Information about replacing bulbs

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

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.

4. Turn off the turn signal if it is activated.

5. Vehicles with an automatic transmission: Engage the parking lock ⇒ Automatic transmission: selecting the selector lever position.

6. Switch the ignition off.

7. ​Vehicles with manual transmission: Select a gear.

8. Allow the orientation lighting to turn off.

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.

    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.

12. 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.

13. After every bulb replacement in the front of the vehicle, have the headlight adjustment checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. 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.

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

NOTICE

Removing and inserting trim panels and headlights incorrectly can damage the vehicle paint and body.

• When removing and inserting the headlight, be careful not to damage the vehicle paint and body.

Replacing bulbs in LED headlights

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

Preparations for replacing bulbs

Only perform these steps in the specified order:

1. Follow the instructions and perform the steps ⇒ Information about replacing bulbs.

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

The headlight does not need to be removed for bulb replacement.

Replacing a bulb in a turn signal

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

1. Turn signal bulb holder cover.
2. Turn signal bulb holder.

1. Remove the rubber cover  fig. 139 .

2. Pull out the lamp holder by the handle in the direction of the arrow  fig. 139 

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

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

5. Press around the circumference of the rubber cover.

6. Close the hood ⇒ Safety precautions for working in the engine compartment.

The figures show the right headlight. The left headlight is structured as its mirror image.