Finally, there is a new real competitor in the aftermarket Volkswagen Passat Altezza Tail Lights scene. SPEC-D (aka JY Lighting) has always had a formidable selection of applications, as well as cutting edge features, but they lacked the US presence needed to be a true competitor. Now, with a dedicated US importer, they now have the backbone and infrastructure to compete against KS and Sonar's tail lamps under their new company, SPEC-D Lighting.
Like KS taillights, these SPEC-D Volkswagen Passat Altezza Tail Lights (aka JY Volkswagen Passat Altezza Tail Lights) are made to US Federal Motor Vehicle Standards and are DOT Compliant, assuring you that they are not only a quality product, but a street legal one as well. Also, these SPEC-D Volkswagen Passat Chrome Altezza Taillights backed by a full 1 year warranty against manufacturer defects, meaning that they are guaranteed to perform as long (if not longer) than the competition.
These Volkswagen Passat tail lamps are the Chrome color of SPEC-D's Altezza Tail Lights, also known as Euro style tails, designed to specifically fit your Volkswagen Passat. They replace both Passat OE tails without any extra modification or changes. They are made to fit your stock harnesses and come with all necessary components for installation... No extra parts required. Best of all, these Chrome SPEC-D Passat Altezza Tail Lens give your Volkswagen a custom look without having to modify your electrical system the way LED taillights (and their lower wattages) do.
Tools generally needed to install Volkswagen Passat Tail Lights
- Socket wrench set or Phillips screw driver
- Painters tape to prevent scratches to your Volkswagen Passat
- (Rare) Torque wrenches, etc.
Volkswagen Passat Tail Light installation procedure
- Inspect the new set of Volkswagen Passat tail lights to make sure you can complete the installation with the tools you have available.
- Disconnect your Volkswagen Passat battery's negative battery terminal. If your stereo requires a key in order to reboot, please be sure you have it before disconnecting the battery. Also, be aware that you will probably have to reset your clocks, etc. after reconnecting the battery later. Please note that some vehicles (such as newer GMs) have extremely sensitive electrical systems. In these cases failure to disconnect the battery before attempting installation may lead to blown taillamp fuses or other damage.
- Apply painters tape on your Volkswagen Passat around the edges of your Passat's taillights to prevent any scratches that might occur while removing and installing taillamps. If uninstalling your Volkswagen Passat rear bumper is required, make sure you have a safe surface to place the Passat bumper on and that the working surface below the vehicle is also safe in the event the bumper falls down. This step is particularly important because tail lens, unlike headlights, often require a little force to come loose, leaving many people to inadvertently scratch their Volkswagen Passat in the process.
- Without touching the glass, uninstall the stock brake, signal and reverse bulbs (as applicable). For bulbs with flat rectangle harnesses, you just pull the bulb firmly outward. For bulbs with round bases, you usually just push them in a bit, and then turn a quarter turn to release them. Once the bulb is removed, place them in their original container (if available). If they are cold, you could also store them in a ziplock type of bag. Please note that if your Volkswagen Passat tail lamps have a harness that can be separated via a main harness that leaves part of the harness with the bulbs inside the Passat tail lights, you will still need both parts of the harness since the aftermarket Volkswagen Passat tail lights are designed to either re-use the stock bulbs (altezzas) or to connect directly into the bulb harnesses (LED taillights).
- Unscrew the Volkswagen Passat taillamps from the front or use a socket wrench to undo the Passat tail lamps from the back. Be aware that the old Volkswagen Passat tail lights might fall immediately once the tension of the bolts is removed. For this reason, it is best to lightly hold the lights in place with your free hand as you unbolt or unscrew them.
- Remove the old Volkswagen Passat taillens and store in a way that the lens will not be scratched. Install the new Volkswagen Passat tail lens and bolt / screw in place.
- Volkswagen Passat Altezza Tail Lights: Reinstall the old bulbs into the new Passat taillights. Be aware some Passat tail lights might make use of a conversion harness that connects into one of your stock harnesses and splits the function into two separate bulbs. In these cases, the new bulbs should be included.
- Reconnect your Volkswagen Passat battery and turn on your Volkswagen Passat taillamps and check for proper operation and blinking speed. If any functions are not operational, try flipping the plugs the reverse orientation and double checking that the resistor boxes are fully connected.
- Reconnect all connections and tighten all bolts in place.
Are these Volkswagen Passat tail lights sold by piece or as a pair?
All our Volkswagen taillights are sold in the full pair. When you pay the listed price, you receive the complete set including both the right and the left sides.
Are these Volkswagen Passat tail lights street legal?
As far as we know the Sonar (aka Spyder) and KS (Anzo) brand tail lights on our website are all street legal as mandated by federal law in the United States. This basically means that they are designed to the specifications set forth by the DOT (United States Department of Transportation). Occasionally, DOT might test models for compliance. If any Volkswagen Passat taillights fail (rare) DOT will have the companies issue a recall. For those tail lens, you can return them to us for a refund. For any other brands besides Sonar (aka Spyder) and KS (aka Anzo), we can not guarantee DOT compliance. Also, please be advised that your local laws that may disallow these sorts of taillights to be used.
How can I prevent my Volkswagen Passat tail lights from fogging up?
During the first few days of operation, it is normal to see some moisture appear in your Volkswagen Passat tail lens. This is due to the small amounts of moisture in the plastic and coating that are evaporated when the tail lens are first warmed up during use. This sort of moisture is normal and should disappear within a few days.
To be sure that no external moisture gets into the new Volkswagen Passat tail lens though, it is a prudent idea to silicone seal the edges. Clear silicone sealant can be found in any hardware store (and some auto part stores), and can be applied to the seam along the Passat taillights where the clear lens meets the rear housing. Also, even if a bulb has died, make sure to keep it installed in the Passat tail lamp until you replace it to prevent moisture from entering through the bulb hole.
Can I smoke my Volkswagen Passat tail lights?
While smoking your Volkswagen Passat taillights (tinting them) is certainly possible through the use of carefully applied spray tint (use light even coats), doing so may make them too dark to be legal. Please check your local laws as well as smoked Volkswagen Passat taillights of any darkness might be illegal in your area.
