The Acura TL side marker utilizes a 168 bulb size for illumination across various production periods. Available data covers the span from 1995 to 1998 and from 2009 to 2014.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The 168 bulb is the most frequently specified size across the Acura TL side marker system, appearing in both front and rear positions across the majority of model years covered in the specifications. It is a T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 4.9W.
The low wattage of the 168 bulb at 4.9W places it in the category of low-draw indicator lighting, typical for side marker applications where continuous illumination is required without significant electrical load.
The 7443 is a T20 dual-filament wedge bulb rated at 12V with a 21W high filament and a 5W low filament. In the Acura TL specifications, it is designated exclusively for the rear side marker position on 1999-2003 model years.
The 1157NA and 1034NA bulbs share the BAY15d bayonet base and a 12V, 21W/5W dual-filament configuration. The 1034NA is noted as a variant of the 1157, and both feature natural amber glass, which produces the amber color at the lens without requiring a colored housing.
For the Acura TL front side marker, the 2000 model year uses the 1034NA while the 1999 and 2001 model years use the 1157NA. Despite their close relationship, these two bulbs are not listed as interchangeable within the specifications, and the year-specific designations indicate distinct fitment requirements.
The front side marker position on the Acura TL shifts from the 168 wedge type to dual-filament bayonet-base bulbs for the 1999-2001 model years, then returns to the 168 for 2002 onward through 2014.
The rear side marker on the Acura TL uses the 168 for 1995-1998, transitions to the 7443 for 1999-2003, and then returns to the 168 for 2009-2014. The 7443 and 168 use different base types, a wedge T20 versus a wedge T10 respectively, making them physically non-interchangeable.
All four bulb types listed in the specifications conform to ANSI standards applicable in both the United States and Canada, indicating standardized electrical and physical tolerances across the range.
The dual-filament nature of the 7443, 1157NA, and 1034NA bulbs means each contains two separate filaments operating at different wattages. In side marker applications, only one filament is typically active, though the socket and wiring must be compatible with the specific base type of the bulb specified.
Substituting a 168 for a 7443, or vice versa, would not be supported by these specifications, as the two bulbs differ in both physical size and base configuration, with the T20 body of the 7443 being larger than the T10 body of the 168.