2020 Volkswagen Passat 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 parking brake ⇒ Operating the 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.

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 bulbs in the halogen headlights

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

Fig. 132 In the engine compartment: Rear view of the left headlight.

Fig. 133 In the engine compartment: Rear view of the left headlight.

The headlight does not need to be removed to replace the bulb.

Replacing a bulb for a low beam headlight

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 the rubber cover  fig. 132  on the rear side of the headlight.

4. Turn the bulb holder  fig. 132  in the direction of the arrow (arrow ) until the retaining tab of the bulb holder is situated in the recesses in the bulb housing (small arrows). Then remove the bulb holder  toward the rear (arrow ).

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

6. Insert the bulb holder  fig. 132  into the headlight and turn it in the opposite direction of the arrow (arrow ) as far as it will go.

7. Fit the rubber cover  fig. 132  on the rear side of the headlight.

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

Replacing a bulb for a parking light

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 the rubber cover  fig. 132  on the rear side of the headlight.

4. Remove the bulb holder  fig. 132  in the direction of the arrow (arrow ).

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

6. Insert the bulb holder  fig. 132  into the headlight in the opposite direction to the arrow (arrow ) and push it all the way in.

7. Fit the rubber cover  fig. 132  on the rear side of the headlight.

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

Replacing a bulb for a high beam headlight

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 the rubber cover  fig. 133  on the rear side of the headlight.

4. Turn the bulb for the high beam headlight  fig. 133  in the direction of the arrow (arrow ) and remove it from the headlight. Then release plug connector  fig. 133  and remove.

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

6. Connect the connector  fig. 133  to the bulb for the high beam headlight  fig. 133 , ensuring that it audibly locks into place. Then insert the bulb for the high beam headlight  fig. 133  into the headlight and turn it in the opposite direction of the arrow (arrow ) as far as it will go.

7. Fit the rubber cover  fig. 133  on the rear side of the headlight.

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

Replacing a bulb for a turn signal, parking light and daytime running light

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 the rubber cover  fig. 133  on the rear side of the headlight.

4. Turn the bulb holder  fig. 133  in the direction of the arrow (arrow ) and remove it from the headlight.

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

6. Insert the bulb holder  fig. 133  into the headlight and turn it in the opposite direction of the arrow (arrow ) as far as it will go.

7. Fit the rubber cover  fig. 133  on the rear side of the headlight.

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

The illustrations show the left headlight from behind. The layout on the right headlight is a mirror image of the left.

It is not possible for you to replace the LEDs for LED headlights. See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

Replacing the bulbs in the front bumper

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

Fig. 134 In the front bumper on the left: replacing the headlight.

Fig. 135 Replacing the bulb in the headlight.

A suitable screwdriver is required for bulb replacement.

Only perform these steps in the specified order:

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

2. Pull the cover  fig. 134  forward in the direction of the arrow.

3. Pull the cover  fig. 134  forward in the direction of the arrow.

4. Remove the screws  fig. 134  and  using the screwdriver in the vehicle tool kit ⇒ Placement.

5. Tilt the headlight forwards slightly and pull out of the mounts at the side  fig. 135 (small arrows).

6. Release the connector  fig. 135  and disconnect it.

7. Turn the bulb holder  fig. 135 left in the direction of the arrow up to the stop and pull out with the bulb.

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

9. Insert the bulb holder in the headlight and turn it right up to the stop.

10. Plug in the connector  fig. 135  to the bulb holder. The connector must audibly engage.

11. Insert the headlight in the mounts  fig. 135 (small arrows) and tilt backwards.

12. Tighten the screws  fig. 134  and  using the screwdriver.

13. Insert the cover  fig. 134  in the bumper.

14. Insert the cover  fig. 134  in the bumper.

NOTICE

• Make sure the connector on the headlight housing is positioned correctly to reduce the risk of damaging the electrical system from water entering the system.

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

Replacing the bulbs for the taillights in the body

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

Fig. 136 In the side of the luggage compartment: A: opening the cover of the rear side trim panel. B: Removing the taillight.

Fig. 137 A: Removing the bulb holder. B: Removing the bulbs.

Removing the taillight

Only perform these steps in the specified order:

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

2. Open the trunk lid.

3. Open the cover of the rear side trim panel  fig. 136A.

4. Pull the catch  fig. 136B on the plug connector  fig. 136B in the direction of the arrow.

5. Press catch  fig. 136B and unplug plug connector  fig. 136B.

6. Remove the screw of the taillight  fig. 136B and carefully remove the taillight from the vehicle body.

7. Carefully pull the taillight toward the rear and out of the body.

8. Remove the taillight and place it on a clean, flat surface.

Replacing a bulb

Only perform these steps in the specified order:

1. Release the bulb holder at the catches  fig. 137A (arrows) and remove the bulb holder from the taillight.

2. Replace the burned out bulb with a new bulb that is identical to the one being replaced  fig. 137B.

3. Insert the bulb holder in the taillight. The catches  fig. 137A must audibly engage.

Installing the taillight

Only perform these steps in the specified order:

1. Insert the taillight carefully into the opening on the body.

2. Hold the taillight in the installation position with one hand and tighten the screw  fig. 136B with the other hand.

3. Make sure the taillight is installed correctly and is secure.

4. Close the cover of the rear side trim panel.

5. Close the trunk lid.

LEDs in the taillights of the vehicle body

It is not possible to replace the LEDs. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

There are different versions of the taillights. The locations and versions of the bulb holders and bulbs may vary from the images.

Replacing taillight bulbs in the trunk lid

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

Fig. 138 In the trunk lid: A: removing the cover of the taillight, B: removing the taillight.

Fig. 139 Taillight: A: removing the bulb holder, B: removing the bulbs.

Only perform these steps in the specified order:

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

2. Open the trunk lid.

3. Use the flat edge of the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit ⇒ Placement to pry off the cover at the cut out carefully  fig. 138A (arrow).

4. Pull the catch  fig. 138B on the plug connector  fig. 138B in the direction of the arrow.

5. Press catch  fig. 138B and unplug plug connector  fig. 138B.

6. Loosen the bolted connections  fig. 138B and carefully remove the taillight from the trunk lid.

7. Press the catches in the direction of the arrow  fig. 139A and remove the bulb holder.

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

9. Reinsert the bulb holder. The catches must audibly engage.

10. Hold the taillight in the installation position with one hand and tighten the screws  fig. 138B with the other hand.

11. Plug the connector  fig. 138B into the bulb holder and push the catch  fig. 138B into the connector in the opposite direction of the arrow.

12. Fit the cover. The cover must engage and be fitted securely.

13. Close the trunk lid.

There are different versions of the taillights. The locations and versions of the bulb holders and bulbs may vary from the images.