Chevrolet Malibu Map Light Bulb Size

Additional Notes

• The Chevrolet Malibu map light uses four distinct bulb types across its model years: the 12961, 168, 212-2, 561, and 562.
• The 12961 is a Philips-designated miniature wedge bulb in the T10 form factor, rated at 12V and 5W, and fits the Chevrolet Malibu (2016-2020) map light position.
• The 168 is an ANSI-standard T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 4.9W, making it functionally close to the 12961 in wattage, though the two carry different part designations and are not listed as interchangeable in these specifications.
• Both the 12961 and 168 share the T10 wedge form factor, but the 12961 uses a W2.1x9.5d base under the Philips numbering system, while the 168 is defined under the ANSI standard.
• The 212-2 is an ANSI-standard festoon bulb with an SV8.5 base, a 41mm length, and a 12V, 12W rating, fitted to the Malibu map light for model years 1997-2003.
• The 561 and 562 are both ANSI-standard festoon bulbs sharing a 44mm length, end-cap contacts, and identical 12V, 12W electrical ratings, yet they carry separate part numbers and are listed for different model years.
• The 561 is specified for the 1977 Malibu map light, while the 562 applies to the 1964-1966 model years, reflecting that two physically and electrically similar festoon bulbs were used across those generations.
• Festoon bulbs such as the 212-2, 561, and 562 differ from the wedge-type 12961 and 168 in both base design and wattage, with the festoon types drawing 12W compared to the sub-5W draw of the wedge types.
• The SV8.5 base on the 212-2 uses a bayonet-style side contact, whereas the 561 and 562 festoon bulbs rely on end-cap contacts, meaning the two festoon categories are not physically interchangeable despite sharing the same wattage rating.
• Because the specifications list distinct bulb numbers for each era of the Malibu, substituting a bulb from one generation's fitment into another is not supported by these specifications.