Chevrolet Suburban Map Light Bulb Size

Additional Notes

• The Chevrolet Suburban map light specifications cover model years 1989 through 2014 and reference four distinct bulb sizes: 212-2, 161, 168, and 906.
• The 212-2 is a festoon-type bulb with a 41mm length and an SV8.5 base, rated at 12V and 12W. It is the bulb specified for the Chevrolet Suburban across the 2007-2014 model years.
• Festoon bulbs are cylindrical lamps that mount by pressing their end caps into spring clips rather than inserting into a socket, which is a physically distinct mounting method from wedge-base bulbs.
• The 161, 168, and 906 are all T10 miniature wedge bulbs sharing the same base form factor, meaning the physical fit is identical across all three types.
• Although the 161, 168, and 906 share the T10 wedge base, their wattage ratings differ significantly. The 161 is rated at 1W, the 168 at 4.9W, and the 906 at 8W, which means light output varies considerably among them.
• Because the 161, 168, and 906 share the same T10 wedge base, one type can physically fit a socket designed for another. However, substituting a higher-wattage bulb in a circuit designed for a lower-wattage one may exceed the intended electrical load for that circuit.
• The 168 is specified for the Chevrolet Suburban across the 1993-2001 model years, making it the longest-running single bulb specification in these records.
• The 161 is specified for the 2002-2006 model years. At 1W, it draws considerably less power than the 168 it replaced in the prior generation.
• The 906 is specified for the 1989-1991 model years. At 8W, it is the highest-wattage T10 wedge bulb among the three wedge types listed in these specifications.
• All four bulb types listed conform to ANSI standards applicable in both the United States and Canada, indicating standardized electrical and dimensional tolerances across the range.