Chevrolet Tahoe Map Light Bulb Size

Additional Notes

• The Chevrolet Tahoe map light specifications span model years 1995 through 2007, with five distinct bulb sizes used across that range: 212-2, 578, 161, 211-2, and 168.
• The festoon bulb format is the most frequently specified type across these years, appearing in seven of the thirteen model year entries, with the 578, 211-2, and 212-2 sizes all belonging to this category.
• The 211-2 and 212-2 are both 41mm festoon bulbs sharing the SV8.5 base type and identical 12V, 12W electrical ratings, making them closely related in construction.
• The 578 is also a 41mm festoon bulb rated at 12V and 12W, but it uses end-cap contacts rather than the SV8.5 base found on the 211-2 and 212-2, which means these bulbs are not physically interchangeable despite sharing the same voltage and wattage.
• The 578 bulb is specified for the Chevrolet Tahoe in 2002 and 2005-2006, while the closely related 211-2 and 212-2 sizes are specified for other years, reflecting a recurring base-type variation within the festoon category across the model's history.
• The 161 and 168 are both T10 miniature wedge bulbs, sharing the same physical base format and 12V operating voltage, but they differ in wattage: the 161 is rated at 1W while the 168 is rated at 4.9W.
• Because the 161 and 168 share the T10 wedge base, they are physically compatible in terms of fitment, but their wattage difference is a relevant electrical consideration for the specific socket and circuit involved.
• The 161 bulb is specified for the Tahoe in 2003-2004, while the 168 is specified for 1995, 1997, and 1999-2000, representing the years in which a low-wattage wedge-type map light was used.
• All five bulb sizes listed conform to ANSI standards applicable in both the United States and Canada, indicating standardized sizing and electrical ratings across the North American market.
• The SV8.5 base designation on the 211-2 and 212-2 refers to a bayonet-style festoon base with a nominal 8.5mm cap width, a base type that is distinct from the end-cap contact design used on the 578.