Volkswagen Tiguan Owners Manual:  Introduction to the subject

In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:

⇒ Indicator light 

⇒ Information on light bulb replacement 

⇒ Replacing light bulbs in the Halogen headlight 

⇒ Replacing light bulbs in the Xenon headlight 

⇒ Changing light bulbs in the front bumper 

⇒ Replacing light bulbs in taillight in the rear hatch 

⇒ Changing taillight bulbs in the vehicle body 

⇒ Changing the light bulb in the license plate lamp 

⇒ Changing the light bulb in the backup lamp 

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 generally required when other vehicle parts must be disassembled to replace a bulb, or when HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) lamps 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 specifications than conventional light bulbs. Specifications are on the glass bulb or on the metal base.

More information:

• Exterior views ⇒ Exterior views 

• Lights and Vision ⇒ Lights and vision 

• Preparations for working in the engine compartment ⇒ Preparations for working in the engine compartment 

• Vehicle tool kit ⇒ Vehicle tool kit 

• Fuses ⇒ Fuses 

Warning

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

Warning

Improper replacement of burned out headlights and other light bulbs can cause serious personal injury.

• Stop! Always read and heed the WARNINGS before doing any work in the engine compartment ⇒ Preparations for working 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) get power from a high voltage source that can cause severe personal injury and even death if handled improperly.

• H7/H15 bulbs and HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) 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 exactly how to carry out the job and have the correct tools and light bulbs.

• If you are uncertain about what to do, have the work performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified workshop. Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed work.

• We strongly recommend that you always have HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) lamps and H7/H15 bulbs replaced by a qualified technician.

• 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 protection if you replace bulbs.

Note

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