The Audi 5000 brake bulb utilizes 1157 and 1156 sizes, while the center high mount stop light bulb employs 12961 size. The replacement chart covers 1978 to 1987 vehicle production years with corresponding bulb size specifications.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Audi 5000 brake light circuit relies on two distinct ANSI-standard bulb types across its model years: the 1156 and the 1157.
The 1156 is a single-filament bulb rated at 12V and 21W, fitted with a BA15s bayonet base, which supports only one electrical function per socket.
The 1157 is a dual-filament bulb rated at 12V with filaments at 21W and 5W, fitted with a BAY15d bayonet base, allowing one socket to serve two separate lighting functions simultaneously.
The BA15s base of the 1156 and the BAY15d base of the 1157 are physically incompatible with each other, as the offset pin configuration of the BAY15d prevents cross-installation between the two types.
The Audi 5000 used the 1157 for brake lighting in 1978-1979, then transitioned to the 1156 for 1980-1985, before returning to the 1157 for 1986-1987.
Because the 1156 and 1157 share the same 15mm base collar width, a physical fit in the socket is possible in some housings, making the filament and pin-offset differences a critical factor when selecting a replacement.
The 1986-1987 Audi 5000 includes a Center High Mount Stop Light position that uses the 12961 bulb, a specification absent from earlier model years.
The 12961 is a Philips part number designating a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W, a significantly lower wattage than either the 1156 or 1157.
The wedge-style W2.1x9.5d base of the 12961 is mechanically and electrically distinct from the bayonet bases used by the 1156 and 1157, making the three bulb types non-interchangeable.
Both the 1156 and 1157 are recognized under ANSI standards in the United States and Canada, indicating standardized physical and electrical tolerances across manufacturers producing these types.