Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen Changing Light Bulbs 2013 Owner's Manual

Changing light bulbs

 Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Indicator light
Information on light bulb replac e ment

Changing 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 gener all y required when
other vehicle parts must be disassembled to replace a bulb, or when HID – High Intensit y Discharg e
(Xenon) headlights 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 speci fications
than conventional light bulbs. Specifications are on the glass bulb or on the metal base.

More information:

 Exterior views
Lights and Vision

 Preparations for working in the engine compartment
 Vehicle tool kit
 Fuses

WARNING

Crashes and other accidents can happen when you cannot see the road ah ead and when you
cannot be seen by other motorists.

WARNING

Improper replacement of bur ned out headlights and other li gh t b ulbs can cause serious
personal injury.

 Stop! Always read and heed the WARNINGS before doing any work 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) headlights get power from a high voltage source
that can cause severe personal injury and even death if handled improperly.

 H7 bulbs and HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) h ea dlights 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 exactl y how to carry out the job and
have the correct tools and light bulbs.

 If you are uncertain about what to do, ha ve the wor k per f or med by an authorized
Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facilit y, or anot her qu ali fied
workshop. Serious personal injur y may result from improperly performed w ork.

 We strongly recommend that you always have HID – High Intensit y Di sch arge (Xenon)
headlights and H7 bulbs replaced by a qualifie d tec hni cian.

 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 protec tion if you r eplace bulbs.

NOTICE

After replacing a headlight bulb or other light bulb, always make sur e that the rubber covers or
plastic caps have been properly and sec ur ely reinstalled to help prevent water from getting
into the electrical connections and the headlight housing and damaging the electrical system.

Indicator light

 Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNING S .

Lights

up

Light bulb of the exterior vehicle lighting



When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights co m e on bri ef l y for a funct i o n
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 i n a coll i s ion and ser ious personal injury.

 Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
 Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

Possible cause Proper response

not working.

Replace the light bulb that isn't working.