Chevrolet Chevelle Parking Brake Indicator Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Chevelle parking brake indicator utilizes bulb sizes 168, 194, 1895, 57, and 257 depending on the specific application. Data for the components covers the range from 1964 to 1973.

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
1973	168
1972	194
1967-1971	1895
1966	57
1965	257
1964	57

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T5). 12V, 0.9W.	1895
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA9s base. 12V, 1W.	57
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon or BA9s base instrument bulb. 12V, 2W.	257

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The parking brake indicator bulb specifications for the Chevrolet Chevelle span the 1964-1973 model years, with five distinct bulb types used across that period: 168, 194, 1895, 57, and 257.
The 1895 bulb is the most frequently specified type, appearing in the Chevrolet Chevelle across five consecutive model years from 1967-1971. It is a T5 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 0.9W, making it the lowest-wattage bulb in these specifications.
The 168 and 194 bulbs share the same T10 miniature wedge form factor and 12V operating voltage, but differ in wattage. The 168 is rated at 4.9W while the 194 draws 3.78W. Despite their physical similarity, these two bulbs are not interchangeable due to the wattage difference, which affects the electrical load on the indicator circuit.
The T10 wedge bulbs (168 and 194) are physically larger than the T5 wedge bulb (1895). The T5 designation refers to a tube width of 5/8 inch, while T10 refers to a tube width of 10/8 inch, meaning a T10 bulb cannot fit a socket designed for a T5.
The 57 bulb uses a BA9s bayonet base and is rated at 12V and 1W. This base type differs fundamentally from the wedge-style base of the 1895, 168, and 194 bulbs, making cross-substitution between these groups physically impossible without socket modification.
The 257 bulb, specified for the 1965 Chevelle, is rated at 12V and 2W and is listed as accepting either a festoon or BA9s base configuration. While the 57 also uses a BA9s base, the 257 operates at twice the wattage of the 57, and the two are not listed as interchangeable in these specifications.
All five bulb types in these specifications conform to ANSI standards recognized in both the United States and Canada, indicating standardized electrical and physical tolerances across the range.
The 1972 Chevelle uses the 194 bulb, while the 1973 model uses the 168. Both are T10 wedge types, but the shift to a higher-wattage bulb in 1973 reflects a change in the indicator circuit specification between those two model years.
The 1964 and 1966 Chevelle share the same 57 bulb specification, while the 1965 model uses the 257. Because the 257 may accept a BA9s base, physical fitment in a BA9s socket is possible, but the differing wattage ratings mean the 257 and 57 are not equivalent replacements for one another.