Recently, many motorists who are actively involved in equipping their “iron horse” have become more often interested in elements of automotive lighting technology. They create blogs on the Internet, shoot videos, and write informational articles on replacing electrical equipment. This excitement is associated not only with the desire to make your car safer on the road, but also with modern fashion trends.
Today, LED lighting is popular when it comes to installing lighting fixtures. LEDs are small semiconductor elements that convert current into light. They are placed inside the low beam headlights, on the taillights and even in the turn signals on the side mirrors.
The German manufacturer from Wolfsburg did not deprive its new invention, the Volkswagen Polo sedan, of LED “decorations”. Beautiful light bulbs are mounted both in the head optics and in the side lights.
In general, all automobile lamps are divided into two categories:
- Halogen samples inserted into the headlights are the main source of light illuminating the road surface.
- The remaining sources, which include parking and side lamps, brake lights, reversing lights, turn signals and interior lighting, play a secondary role.
Manufacturers are a dime a dozen. Just go to any car store and find a huge assortment of products of various brands and sizes. In some cities, they even open entire retail outlets specializing in the sale of lighting equipment for cars.
The most famous brands include Osram, Bosch and Phillips. These companies create truly high-quality designs that are in great demand around the world.
Procedure for replacing low beam headlight bulbs
Let's look at how to change a light bulb in a Volkswagen headlight. First of all, it is necessary to clarify what type of lamps are used for low beam and purchase a suitable option for use. In addition, in most cases it is necessary to install both bulbs at once, since for high-quality lighting you need a kit selected according to all operating parameters. It is never possible to combine old and new lamps; the difference is too noticeable.
What you will need
To remove and install the Volkswagen Polo low beam lamps you will need:
- Torx screwdriver T-30 (star);
- flat screwdriver;
- fabric gloves;
- clean napkin and alcohol;
- hook from a car tool kit.
Alcohol and a cloth will be needed to wipe the halogen lamp bulb before installation. You cannot touch it with bare hands, as greasy stains from strong heating darken and worsen the parameters of the light flux.
Important! Before starting work, it is necessary to ensure conditions for convenient and quick completion of the procedure. You need to open and secure the hood, disconnect the negative terminal from the battery. After this, you can begin to directly remove the burnt out lamp and install a new one.
Step-by-step instruction
The procedure for performing work on a Volkswagen Polo is as follows:
- Using a star screwdriver, unscrew 2 screws from the metal fastener so that you can remove the headlight;
- carefully disconnect the block with the lamp’s power wires by pressing the plastic latch;
- press on the bottom of the headlight and pull it out of the socket. There are 2 more latches, so you will have to apply some force;
- remove the sealing cone by turning it counterclockwise;
- remove the burnt out lamp and replace it with a new one;
- We assemble and install the headlamp in the reverse order.
Important! Experienced people say that replacing one lamp on a Volkswagen Polo takes no more than 10 minutes. For a beginner doing this for the first time, it may take a little longer. There is no need to rush; all actions must be performed thoughtfully and carefully.
When it's time to change
DRL headlights on the Volkswagen Polo sedan play a decisive role in the safety of both the driver and other road users. Therefore, they need regular monitoring and timely replacement. Many VW Polo users note the extremely low durability of standard equipment.
This is due to the frequent use of optics and the desire of the manufacturer to save on parts. Factory lamp models for the Polo sedan are formally designed for 2 years of operation, but in practice their service life is 30% shorter. The first signs that your Polo lights need to be replaced are:
Anti-fog headlight
There are several ways to replace a light bulb: from underneath the car or by removing the headlight. The first method is carried out on an overpass or inspection hole.
Replacement steps:
- Turn the light bulb counterclockwise and remove it from the housing;
- Press the latch of the power chip, disconnect it from the lamp;
- Unscrew the screws securing the front fender trim, bend the front wheel trim;
- Install the new light bulb in reverse order.
The fog lamp is removed when it is necessary to replace the lamp housing or when replacing the front bumper. This is done using a special hook from the car kit. Replacement process:
- Press the pad latches, disconnect the power from the lamp connector on the back of the headlight;
- We remove the headlight so as not to damage the wiring;
- Unscrew the screws securing the fog lights using a Torx T-25 wrench;
- Replace the light bulb with a new one and reassemble.
- Insert the wire stripper into the hole for adjusting the headlights, carefully pull out the decorative strip, remove it, overcoming the resistance of the clamps;
- Turn the light bulb counterclockwise and remove it from the housing along with the socket;
Side turn signal
- We take out the cartridge, remove it from the cartridge case;
- We pull the pointer out of the hole;
- Move the side turn signal to the front of the vehicle;
- We replace the old light bulb with a new one and put everything back in place.
Dimensions
Performed symmetrically for left and right checkboxes:
- We take out the socket and change the light bulb without a base.
- Guide the lamp socket counterclockwise;
The light source for the rear lights changes as follows:
- Remove the light from the body so as not to damage the car's paint;
- Unscrew the fastening nut;
- Using a flat-head screwdriver, lift the latch of the red connector, press the latch, disconnect the wires;
- Reassemble the lantern in reverse order.
- Remove the negative terminal from the battery;
- Pull the cutout on the side panel towards you;
- Hook the chuck between the clamps;
- Press the latches on the lamp socket, remove the pad from the lamp;
- Unlock the socket and replace the light bulb;
- Open the trunk;
For those car enthusiasts who want to make their Volkswagen Polo bright, you can purchase multi-colored LED chameleon lamps. They are equipped with two LEDs on the sides and are built into the dimensions of the flashlight. The light bulbs shine brightly and abundantly, with a power of 2.0 W.
Replacing low beam lamps on Polo 2011 - 2015
Removing the low beam lamp in the pre-restyling model is carried out without dismantling the headlight. All you have to do is open the hood and access it from the back.
- It is necessary to dismantle the electrical block H4. The block “fits” very tightly, so in order to remove it, you need to forcefully pull it in the opposite direction.
- Then remove the rubber boot.
- The low beam lamp is held in place with a spring clip. The clamp itself is attached to the metal body of the reflector. You just need to apply a little pressure on the latch so that it clicks and releases it.
- To remove the lamp, the clamp is pulled down, and the light source itself is easily removed from its seat.
Remove and install lamps carefully, without touching the glass with your fingers.
Contact with fingers leads to the appearance of grease marks on the flask. After turning on the light, the glass will heat up and the marks will become clearly visible. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out all operations wearing work gloves. Or remove traces with a rag or cloth soaked in an alcohol solution.
After removal, assembly of the unit is carried out in the reverse order. The lamp in the second block is replaced in the same way. Car owners can easily carry out all the work with their own hands.
The final stage is verification. You need to make sure that the headlights are working properly.
Stop lamp, turn, P21W 12V (BA15s) STELLOX 99-39038-SX
- Chuck version BA15s
- Installation location: Front
- Reverse lamp installation location; turn signal; stop signal
- Voltage 12 V
- Nom. power 21 W W
- Lamp type P21W
- Country of origin China
- Additional information 99-39038-SX_lamp! stop, turn, P21W 12V (BA15s)
- Type of incandescent lamp
- Cartridge version W2.1×9.5d
- Installation location of the turn signal lamp; stop signal
- Voltage 12 V
- Nom. power 3 W
- Lamp type W3W
- Country of origin: Germany
- Additional information Incandescent lamp 10 pcs per pack W3W 12V 3W W2.1×9.5d ECO (reliability and quality at an attractive price)
Expert opinion
It-Technology, Electrical power and electronics specialist
Ask questions to the “Specialist for modernization of energy generation systems”
Internal lamp lighting 1.2W 12V (W2X4.6d) STELLOX 99-39050-SX LED lamps are good for everyone - they are constantly improving, they provide powerful lighting that helps drivers see even in rain and fog, they consume a minimal amount of electricity, but with the price, alas, everything is terrible - prices are constantly rising. Ask, I'm in touch!
Replacing the low beam lamp on a restyled version of VW Polo
To make it easier to replace the lamp, the headlight should be removed. To remove it we need a Torx T27 key
Unscrew the two screws securing the headlight using a Torx T27 key
In addition to the screws, the headlight is held on by 2 latches; carefully pull the headlight towards you and remove it from the latches. To remove the headlight, you need to disconnect the pads.
Having pulled out the headlight, remove the rubber boot
We take the lamp holder and turn it counterclockwise half a turn, pull it out of the headlight
We take out the old lamp, install a new one and reassemble in the reverse order.
LED lamps for low beam VW Polo
LED lamps are becoming more and more firmly integrated into everyday life every day. If previously they were installed in side lights and license plate lights, now LEDs are also installed in low beam headlights. When installing high-quality lamps, they provide bright light and good illumination of the road. According to motorists who have installed such lamps, LEDs shine better than halogen lamps.
Advantages of installed lamps:
- Less heat is generated during operation, as a result of which less dirt remains on the headlight.
- Manufacturer's warranty
- The “daw” has been preserved and therefore the correct light beam has been preserved
- Excellent customizability, the headlight range control also works on LEDs
Thus, after installing high-quality LED lamps, the illumination of the road surface has improved, while maintaining the ability to adjust the headlights and a clear light boundary. However, it should be understood that not all LED low beam lamps are capable of producing such a result.
What lamps are installed
On the fifth generation Volkswagen Polo, before restyling, type H4
.
These are the most common low beam lamps used in two-headlight systems. H4 has two filaments.
Standard power ranges from 55 to 60 watts. The use of higher power products is not recommended as it excessively loads the electrical wiring of the vehicle, and can also create a dangerous situation on the road by blinding oncoming drivers.
| Name | EEC designation | Power, W |
| high/low beam lamp | H4 | 55/60 |
In the restyled Volkswagen Polo model, produced after 2015, type H7
.
Only one filament is used here. Type H7 is installed in four-headlight headlight systems for vehicles, with separate sources for long and short range. Here the power standard is 55 W.
| Name | EEC designation | Power, W |
| low beam lamp | H7 | 55 |
There are several varieties:
- LED bulbs.
- Halogen.
- Xenon.
The cheapest and most popular are halogen. They do not require additional equipment like LED and xenon lamps. Xenon ones require an ignition unit, while LED ones use special optics.
The main disadvantage of the halogen type is that they heat up to high temperatures during operation. This negatively affects the service life and reduces the reliability of the lamp. But any of them fail sooner or later, so everyone will need knowledge of how to update low beam lamps. Choosing the right lamp will help avoid frequent repetition of this procedure.
