2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT high beam

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response
 One or more driving lights not working or
cornering light malfunction.
Replace burned out bulb or
if all light bulbs are OK, see an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service facility.
Fog lights switched on (indicator light on
the headlight switch).



Left or right turn signal.
The indicator light blinks twice as fast if a
turn signal is not working on the vehicle or
the trailer.
Check the turn signals on the vehicle and
the trailer.
' Daytime running lights (DRL) on.
$2,
 High beams switched on or headlight
flashers in use.

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function
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 in a collision and serious personal injury.
x Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
x Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe distance off the road, stop
the engine, turn on the emergency flashers, and use other warning devices to warn approach-
ing traffic.
x Never park the vehicle in areas where the hot catalytic converter and exhaust system can
come into contact with dry grass, brush, spilled fuel, oil, or other material that can catch fire.
x A broken down vehicle presents a high accident risk for itself and others. Switch on
emergency flashers and set up a warning triangle to warn oncoming traffic.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights provide bright, uniform lighting to help you see and be
seen. The light comes from an electric arc between two electrodes in the gas-filled bulb. Over time, the
electrodes can wear down and the gap between them will get wider. The HID lamp’s control unit then
increases the voltage to keep the arc’s brightness constant. However, the commonly called “Xenon”
bulbs will also ultimately burn out. Before they burn out, HID lamps can flicker. A message will then
appear in the MFI. This is your reminder to see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service facility to check the headlights.

Turn signal lever and high beam switch

Fig. 95 Turn signal lever and high beam switch.

Applicable only in the United States and Canada
Frequently asked questions
If you suspect a malfunction or vehicle damage, read and follow the following advice before contacting
an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. You may also find
helpful information under “Characteristics” and “Checklist” in the index.

Description Possible causes, among
others Possible remedy
Engine does not start.
Vehicle battery dead. – Perform jump-start.
– Charge vehicle battery.
The wrong vehicle key is used. Use a valid vehicle key.
Fuel level too low. Refuel.
AdBlue fill level too low. Refill AdBlue.
Vehicle cannot be locked
or unlocked using vehicle
key.
– Battery in the remote control
vehicle key dead.
– Too far away from vehicle
(out of range).
– Buttons have been pressed
too many times.
– Replace the battery in the remote
control vehicle key.
– Move closer to vehicle.
– Synchronize vehicle key.
– Lock or unlock vehicle manually.
Unusual noises.
Cold engine, braking assist
systems, electronic steering
column lock.
Check the “Noises” entry in the index.
Odd driving behavior.
Assistance systems activated. Check the “Assistance systems” entry
in the index.
DSG® Direct Shift Gearbox too
hot.
Stop vehicle as soon as you can do so
safely
Outside mirrors move
when vehicle is unlocked.
Convenience settings are
stored. Correct convenience settings.
Front seats cannot be
adjusted with power
controls.
Vehicle battery dead. Charge vehicle battery.
Fuse blown. Check fuse and replace if necessary.
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.

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.

Replacing headlight bulbs

Fig. 216 In the engine compartment: Covers in the left headlight assembly: A Side marker light, B Low beam
headlight, C High beam headlight,>Turn signal and parking light, E Daytime running light.

Fig. 217 In the wheel housing: Removing cover.

⇒ 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.