Acura RL License Plate Bulb Size

The Acura RL license plate light uses 168 and 12961 bulb sizes for the rear exterior illumination. Data for the specific components covers the period from 1996 through 2012.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Size
2005-2012	12961
1996-2004	168

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Acura RL uses two distinct license plate bulb types across its model years, with the 12961 specified for 2005-2012 and the 168 specified for 1996-2004.
Both bulb types share the T10 miniature wedge form factor, meaning they occupy the same physical envelope in the license plate housing.
Despite the shared T10 form factor, the two bulbs differ in their base type. The 12961 uses a W2.1x9.5d base, which is the standard designation for the T10 wedge base in European and international classification systems.
The 12961 is a Philips part number rather than an ANSI or SAE standard designation, which means it is a manufacturer-specific reference tied to Philips' product catalog.
The 168 carries an ANSI standard designation recognized in both the United States and Canada, making it a widely available reference number across multiple bulb manufacturers.
The 12961 operates at 12V and 5W, while the 168 operates at 12V and 4.9W, placing both within the same low-wattage range typical of license plate illumination applications.
The 0.1W difference between the two bulbs is negligible in practical electrical terms, though the socket base and fitment specifications of each year's housing should be observed when selecting a replacement.
Because the 12961 is defined by a manufacturer part number and the 168 by an ANSI standard, cross-referencing between the two requires confirming that the physical base and voltage ratings are compatible with the specific model year's socket.