Mazda RX-7 License Plate Bulb Size

The Mazda RX-7 license plate light utilizes 194, 168, and 89 bulb sizes depending on the specific version of the vehicle. Data for the bulb sizes covers the range from 1979 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

If US Type and EU Type show the same value, a direct cross-reference for this bulb is not available or the data is insufficient.

Years	US Type	EU Type	Shop
1993-1995	194	W5W	Check Price
1991	89	89	Check Price
1988-1990	168	W5W	Check Price
1979-1987	89	89	Check Price

Bulb Specifications

Description	Type	Shop
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194	Check Price
ECE standard (Europe & worldwide). Single-filament signalling bulb with W2.1x9.5d wedge base. 12V, 5W.	W5W	Check Price
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Lower wattage variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	89	Check Price
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168	Check Price

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Mazda RX-7 license plate bulb specifications cover model years 1979-1995 and reference three distinct ANSI-standard bulb types: the 194, the 168, and the 89.
The 194 and 168 are both T10 miniature wedge bulbs operating at 12V, though they differ in wattage. The 194 draws 3.78W while the 168 draws 4.9W, making them electrically incompatible as direct replacements for one another despite sharing the same physical base type.
The 89 bulb uses a BA15s single-contact bayonet base, which is a fundamentally different mounting style from the wedge base used by the 194 and 168. This means the 89 is not interchangeable with either of the T10 wedge types.
The 89 is rated at 12V and 13W, classifying it as a significantly higher-wattage bulb than the 194 or 168, and it is described as a lower-wattage variant of the 1156 bulb family.
The Mazda RX-7 used the 194 bulb for the 1993-1995 model years, the 168 bulb for 1988-1990, and the 89 bulb for 1979-1987 with the exception of 1988-1990, as well as for the 1991 model year.
The 1991 model year uses the 89 bulb, while the immediately surrounding years 1990 and 1993 use different bulb types, indicating that fitment cannot be assumed based on proximity of model year alone.
All three bulb types conform to ANSI standards applicable in both the United States and Canada.
The shift from the BA15s bayonet-based 89 to the wedge-based 168 between the 1987 and 1988 model years represents a change in both base type and wattage, requiring attention when sourcing replacements for vehicles near that production boundary.