2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT lights

Description Possible causes among
others Possible remedy
Vehicle has run-flat or mobility
tires.
equipment. Contact an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility for
assistance.
Features do not work as
described in this manual.
Settings were adjusted in the
Volkswagen Information
System.
Check and reset to factory settings if
necessary.
Headlights do not light up
the road as they should.
– Headlights adjusted too high.
– Light bulbs burned out.
– Low beams not switched on.
– Have the headlight range adjusted by
an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an
authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility.

– Change light bulbs.
– Switch on low beams.
Electrical consumers do
not work.
Vehicle battery charge too low. Charge vehicle battery.
Remaining fuel level too low. Refuel.
Fuse blown. Check fuse and replace if necessary.
Fuel consumption higher
than indicated.
– Short hauls.
– “Jumpy” accelerator pedal.
– Avoid short distance driving.
– Drive defensively.
– Accelerate smoothly.
Electrical loads switched on. Switch off unnecessary loads.
Engine control malfunctioning. Have the malfunction corrected.
Tire pressure too low. Adjust tire pressure.
Driving in the mountains. No direct corrective action possible.
Towing a trailer. – Check use.
– Remove if not in use.
Driving with heavy payload. No direct corrective action possible.
Driving at high engine speed. Select a higher gear.

WARNING
Improper replacement of burned out headlights and other light bulbs can cause serious
personal injury.
x 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.
x 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.
x H7 bulbs and HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) headlights are under high pressure
and can explode if handled improperly.
x Always let a burned out light bulb cool down before replacing it.
x 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.
x 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.
x We strongly recommend that you always have HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon)
headlights and H7 bulbs replaced by a qualified technician.
x 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.”
x 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.
NOTICE
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.
Indicator light

NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Information on light bulb replacement

⇒ fig. 216 (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
Side marker
light
Low beam High beam Turn signal
and parking
light
Daytime
running lights
3.
Unscrew the
fastening screw
⇒ fig. 217
(arrow) with a
short
screwdriver. To
access the
screw, turn the
wheel in
question inward
as shown in .

Same as column
(A).
4.
Remove the
cover from the
wheel house
lining .
Same as column
(A).
5. On the back of the headlight assembly, pull off the rubber cover for
the bulb you are replacing.
Turn plastic
cover ⇒ fig. 216
A (E)
counterclockwise
and remove.
6. Left side of the
vehicle: Turn
plastic bulb
socket
counterclockwise
(about 1/8 turn)
to release it.
Right side of the
vehicle: Turn
plastic bulb
socket clockwise
(about 1/8 turn)
instead.
Turn plastic bulb
socket
counterclockwise
(about 1/8 turn)
to release it.
Press plastic
tab on back of
bulb socket to
release it.
Same as
column (A).
Same as column
(A).
7. Pull plastic bulb socket assembly back and out of the headlight assembly.
8. Replace the burned out light bulb with a new bulb of the same type.
9. Reinsert the bulb socket assembly into the headlight assembly.

⇒ fig. 216 (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
Side marker
light
Low beam High beam Turn signal
and parking
light
Daytime
running lights
10. Left side of the
vehicle: Turn
plastic bulb
socket clockwise
until it locks into
place in the
headlight
assembly.
Right side of the
vehicle: Turn
plastic bulb
socket
counterclockwise
instead.
Turn plastic bulb
socket clockwise
until it locks into
place in the
headlight
assembly.
Push bulb
socket into
the headlight
assembly
until you hear
it “click” into
place.
Same as
column (A).
Same as column
(A).
11. Replace rubber cover on the back of the headlight assembly for the
bulb you replaced.
Place the plastic
cover A (E) in
the headlight
assembly
housing and turn
clockwise as far
as it will go.
12.
Place the cover
⇒ fig. 217 in the
wheel housing
liner and use the
screwdriver in
the vehicle tool
kit to tighten the
fastening screw
(arrow).

Same as column
(A).
Please carry out each step only in the order specified:
The illustrations show the left headlight assembly from the rear. The right headlight assembly is
the mirror image of the left headlight assembly.

Please carry out each step only in the order specified:
9. Replace the burned out light bulb with a new bulb of the same type B.
10. Reinsert the bulb socket assembly in the taillight assembly. The locking tabs must latch
with an audible “click.”
11.
Carefully reinsert the taillight assembly into the opening in the luggage compartment lid.
Hold the rear light assembly with one hand in the installation position, and with the other
hand tighten the fastening screws ⇒ fig. 220 B (3).
12. Plug connector plug B (2) into the bulb socket and push red locking tab B (4) in the
direction opposite to the arrow.
13. Check the taillight assembly for proper installation and secure fit.
14. Attach the cover. The cover must latch tightly and securely into place.
15. Close the luggage compartment lid.

Different models may have different taillights, and the light bulb may be in a different location
than shown in the illustrations.

Abbreviations
Abbreviation Meaning
5S manual 5-speed manual transmission
6S automatic 6-speed automatic transmission
6S manual 6-speed manual transmission
ABS Anti-lock Brake System
AFS Adaptive Front Lighting System
AKI Anti-Knock Index
ANSI American National Standards Institute
ASR Anti-Slip Regulation
ATA Anti-Theft Alarm system
BAS Brake Assist System
ccm Cubic centimeters - unit of measure for engine displacement
CCS Cruise Control System
CID Cubic inches - unit of measure for engine displacement
cm Centimeter - metric unit of measure for length
CO2 Carbon dioxide
DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Institute for Standardization)
DPF Diesel Particulate Filter
DRL Daytime running lights
DSG® DSG® Direct Shift Gearbox automatic transmission
EDL Electronic Differential Lock
EN European Norm
EPC Engine control (Electronic Power Control)
ESC Electronic Stability Control
FSI Fuel Stratified Injection
g/km Generated carbon monoxide amount in grams per kilometer driven
GAWR Gross Axle Weight Rating
GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
HID High Intensity Discharge headlights (Xenon)
hp Horsepower - unit to measure engine power
kg Kilogram - metric unit for weight
kN Kilonewton - a measure of force
kp Kilopond - a measure of force
kPa Kilopascal - unit of measure for tire pressure
kW Kilowatt - engine rating