Kia Spectra License Plate Bulb Size

The Kia Spectra license plate light requires a 168 bulb size for proper illumination of the rear registration area. Data for the specified component covers the period from 2000 through 2009.

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
2005-2009	168
2000-2001	168

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168

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Additional Notes

The 168 bulb is the sole license plate bulb size listed for the Kia Spectra across all model years in the specifications.
The 168 bulb is an ANSI-standardized type recognized in both the United States and Canada, meaning it conforms to a defined set of electrical and physical parameters shared across manufacturers.
It belongs to the T10 miniature wedge family, a form factor characterized by a wedge-shaped base that seats directly into a socket without a separate metal cap or pins.
The bulb operates at 12 volts, which corresponds to the standard electrical system voltage found in conventional passenger vehicles.
Its rated wattage of 4.9W places it in the low-draw category typical of license plate and courtesy lighting applications.
The 168 designation is an ANSI trade number, and bulbs sold under this number from different manufacturers are expected to share the same voltage, wattage, and base type, which generally allows substitution between brands without fitment issues.
The Kia Spectra uses the 168 bulb across the 2000-2001 and 2005-2009 model years as recorded in the specifications.
The T10 wedge base is also shared by several other ANSI trade numbers, such as the 194 and 147, though those types differ in wattage and are not interchangeable with the 168 without verifying that the replacement matches the 4.9W rating specified here.