Mazda MX-3 Back Up Light Bulb Size

The Mazda MX-3 back up light requires 1156, 2456, or 3156 bulb sizes depending on the specific version of the vehicle. Data for the bulb sizes covers the range from 1992 through 1995.

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
1994-1995	1156
1993	2456
1992	3156

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. 12V, 21W.	1156
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, specialty application. 12V.	2456
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament wedge bulb (T25). 12V, 27W.	3156

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Mazda MX-3 backup light specifications cover the 1992-1995 model years, with three distinct bulb types used across that span.
The 1156 bulb is the most frequently specified type, appearing in both the 1994 and 1995 model years. It is a single-filament bulb rated at 12V and 21W, fitted with a BA15s bayonet base, and produced to ANSI standards for the US and Canadian markets.
The BA15s bayonet base on the 1156 bulb uses a single contact point at the base, which distinguishes it from the dual-contact BA15d variant. The two are not interchangeable despite sharing the same physical base size.
The 1992 Mazda MX-3 uses the 3156 bulb, a single-filament wedge type in a T25 form factor, rated at 12V and 27W. Its wedge base design differs fundamentally from the bayonet base of the 1156, making the two types physically incompatible.
At 27W, the 3156 draws more power than the 21W 1156. Installing a higher-wattage bulb in a socket rated for a lower wattage can generate excess heat and may affect socket integrity over time.
The 1993 model year uses the 2456 bulb, a festoon type designated for specialty applications. It operates at 12V and, unlike the 1156 and 3156, is not a bayonet or wedge fitment. Festoon bulbs are cylindrical and held in place by contact pressure at each end.
Each of the three bulb types in these specifications carries ANSI standardization for the US and Canadian markets, meaning their electrical and physical characteristics conform to a defined industry standard rather than being proprietary to Mazda.
Because the 1992, 1993, and 1994-1995 model years each use a different bulb type with a different base design, bulbs are not interchangeable across those model years without a socket adapter or wiring modification.