Volkswagen Golf Bulb Size

The Volkswagen Golf has been in production since 1974. It has been sold in different parts of the world under different names, such as the Volkswagen Caribe and Volkswagen Rabbit in Mexico and the United States respectively. The current model comes with Bi-Xenon (HID) headlights on more expensive trims and halogen headlights on lower trims. All models feature LED daytime running lights. 

Bulb type used

For models built between 1988 and 2011, the VW Golf uses the H7 bulb for the low beam and the H15 bulb for the high beam. The fog lamps use an HB4 (9006) bulb. 

What Are The Reasons To Upgrade/Change Your Headlight Bulbs?

If you’re not too clued up on automotive lighting you may be confused about the lingo being used to describe the different types of headlight bulbs for your car. There are highs and lows, main and dipped, but what does it all mean?  We’ve put together this guide to explain the basics of what each term means.

First, let’s clear up some confusion about wattage. You may be under the mistaken impression that bigger is better with car bulbs. It used to be that way; more watts meant brighter headlights for safety and enhanced driving experience, but these days things are different thanks to headlight lens technology (more on this later). You see, unless you buy an extremely expensive aftermarket light bulb like a Tungsten-Halogen or HID lamp (both of which will require specific wiring), your standard halogen bulb will last around 750 hours on average. This means that one 60/55W bulb should last you over 12 months traveling at an average of 30mph on the motorway for an hour a day. If you drive less often or for shorter lengths of time, or are driving at night in traffic lights rather than on open roads, your headlights will last longer. So unless you’re planning to drive across Europe with no streetlights (which would be madness), stick to car bulbs with a lower wattage rating.

Now that’s all cleared up let’s look at the types of headlight bulbs available to buy today:

Halogen – The most common type of headlight bulb, halogen bulbs have become increasingly efficient over recent years thanks to improved technology and design. Halogen headlights produce a bright white light which provides good all-round visibility. You can recognize a halogen headlight by the tungsten filament that is visible inside the glass cover of the bulb on low-beam headlights, and by the 2 pins at each end of the bulb if you’re looking at high-beam headlights. A halogen car bulb will produce around 700W of light which means they are only suitable for use with a car’s main beams or ‘dipped’ lights. They also have a short life span of around 750 hours.

HID – Short for High-Intensity Discharge, HIDs use a capsule containing metal salts and argon gas to create powerful light which you may know as Xenon lighting (this is actually a brand name). As HIDs are very powerful, they are only suitable for use with a car’s main beams or ‘dipped’ lights. Because of the light-producing method required to create them, they also have a relatively short life span of around 300 hours making them significantly more expensive than halogen bulbs.

LED – Short for Light Emitting Diode, LED headlights are currently at the cutting edge of automotive lighting technology. They are capable of producing powerful light which is bright white in color but without the short lifespan or high replacement cost associated with HID lamps. You can identify an LED bulb by its distinctive 2 metal pins on each side and small chip inside the glass cover. These bulbs can be used as replacements for standard halogen bulbs in your car’s main beams or dipped lenses. LED headlights can also replace a car’s standard sidelights or rear lights.

Xenon-Filled Bulbs – Xenon-filled headlight bulbs have a high wattage rating and produce a brighter light than standard halogen lights, so they are only suitable for use with a car’s main beams (no ‘dipped’ function). Xenon-filled bulbs look like standard halogen ones but contain xenon gas which is an element that, when combined with the tungsten filament inside the glass cover of the bulb, produces around 400W of light to provide extra power compared to regular; this means they don’t require as much voltage to produce their light. Xenon-filled bulbs also last longer than halogen ones because the xenon gas allows for improved heat dissipation from the filament, which slows down its deterioration. Because of this, a xenon bulb should typically last around 1,000 hours. However, they cost more to buy and cannot be used with a car’s dipped beams or sidelights.

LED-Filled Bulbs – LED-filled headlight bulbs have a high wattage rating and produce a brighter light than standard halogen lights, so they are only suitable for use with a car’s main beams (no ‘dipped’ function). LED-filled headlights look like standard halogen ones but contain LEDs instead

Upgrading from factory bulbs to aftermarket LED/HID

The process of upgrading from your factory bulbs to aftermarket LEDs and HIDs is now easier. This is thanks to several kits that are available in the market today. They are designed in such a way that they can be easily installed by amateurs and non-mechanics. You can now upgrade your headlights on your own without having to go to a garage. It’s also possible to carry out the process safely and in under 30 minutes. 

Advantages of upgrading from halogen to LED/HID

1. Longevity: HID and LED headlights last longer than halogen headlights. 
2. Excellent light output: LED and HID lights produce better colors and more brightness. 
3. Large light pattern: LEDs and HIDs produce a larger light spectrum making it easier to see the wider road when driving at night. 
4. They also convert electricity to light more efficiently compared to halogen lights. 

How to choose the correct bulb size 

• Refer to your factory bulbs

Your factory bulbs should have a part/size number indicated on them. Before replacing them with HID or LED bulbs, check for this number. The size you find indicated should be similar to that of the new bulbs you purchase. 

• Call your manufacturer

Give your car manufacturer or car dealer a call if you’re having trouble finding the correct bulb size for your car. You may need to provide them with your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for them to retrieve the information. 

• Vehicle handbook

Each car bulb has a different fitting. This is especially where different bulbs are being changed at the same time. To determine the correct size of your bulbs, take a look at your vehicle handbook. It will provide unique codes for each bulb that will guide you when replacing your old bulbs. 

• Online Search

You can run a quick check with the help of our VW Golf light bulb replacement chart to determine the correct bulb size for your HID or LED headlights. Just pick your car’s model year to help generate the results. 

Installing new bulbs

1. Open the hood of your VW Golf. 
2. Remove the rubber cap located behind the headlight assembly. 
3. Twist the bulb holder counterclockwise to remove the bulb. 
4. Replace the old bulb with the new one. 
5. Reinstall the bulb holder into the headlight assembly. 
6. Put the rubber cap back in place. 
7. Test your headlights to see if they work. 

Additional equipment

1. Gloves to prevent touching the bulbs with your bare fingers. 

Q&A Section

What is an H7 headlight bulb? 

The H7 bulb is a high-intensity discharge halogen bulb that is used either for the high beam headlight or the low beam headlight. It emits extremely bright light. 

What are the most popular headlight bulb shapes?

The choices for aftermarket headlight bulbs can be extensive, but a few of the most common types of headlights include the standard halogen and high-intensity discharge (HID) lightbulbs. Halogen headlights have a filament running parallel to the ground in a quartz envelope

Do high-wattage headlight bulbs produce more heat?

In general, as wattages increase, so do heat levels

Should I go with an expensive brand name headlight bulb?

A. Many factors affect your decision regarding which type of headlight bulbs you want to install on your car, including beam patterns and color temperature. Some headlight bulb manufacturers, like Philips and Sylvania, design their products to work in most vehicles.

What does “Xenon” mean?

Headlight bulbs that use xenon gas are powered by an electrical charge but do not have a filament

Which is better for my car headlights: halogen or HID headlight bulbs?

Halogen headlights are more popular at this time because they tend to be less expensive than HID lights

Generations

• Seventh generation (MK7/MQB, Typ 5G; 2012–present)
• Sixth generation (MK6/A6, Typ 5K; 2008–2012)
• Fifth generation (MK5/A5, Typ 1K; 2003–2008)
• Fourth generation (MK4/A4, Typ 1J; 1997–2003)
• Third generation (MK3/A3, Typ 1H/1E/1V; 1993–1998)
• Second generation (MK2/A2, Typ 19E/1G; 1983–1992)
• First generation (MK1/A1, Typ 17; 1974–1983)

 

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