Mazda MX-3 License Plate Bulb Size

The Mazda MX-3 license plate light requires 168 and 194 bulb sizes for the rear illumination housing. Data for the specified lighting components covers the period 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	168
1992-1993	194

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Mazda MX-3 license plate bulb specification changed between the 1992-1993 and 1994-1995 model years, with earlier models using the 194 bulb and later models using the 168 bulb.
Both the 168 and 194 bulbs share the same T10 miniature wedge base and operate on a 12-volt circuit, which means they are physically interchangeable in terms of socket fitment.
Despite their shared base type, the 168 and 194 bulbs are not electrically identical. The 168 draws 4.9 watts while the 194 draws 3.78 watts, making substitution between the two a deviation from factory specification.
Both bulbs carry ANSI standard designation applicable to the US and Canadian markets, indicating they conform to a defined set of performance and construction standards for those regions.
The T10 wedge base is a common miniature bulb format in automotive applications, characterized by a plastic wedge-shaped base with no separate metal contacts, relying instead on wire leads folded along the base sides to make electrical contact.
The 168 bulb, used in the 1994-1995 MX-3, produces slightly more light output relative to the 194 due to its higher wattage rating.