The Mazda RX-8 high beam headlight uses an H9 bulb size, while low beam headlights require either an H7 or D2S bulb size. The replacement chart covers vehicle production years spanning 2004 to 2011 with corresponding bulb size specifications.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Mazda RX-8 high beam headlight position uses the H9 bulb across all model years from 2004-2011 without variation. The H9 is a single-filament halogen bulb operating at 12V and 65W, fitted with a PGJ19-5 base, and is recognized under ECE standards with additional approval for use in the United States.
The low beam headlight position on the Mazda RX-8 accommodates two distinct bulb types depending on the headlamp system installed. Halogen Capsule Headlamp-equipped vehicles use the H7, while HID Headlamp-equipped vehicles use the D2S. This split applies uniformly across all model years from 2004-2011.
The H7 bulb is a single-filament halogen type operating at 12V and 55W, fitted with a PX26d base. It carries ECE approval and is also recognized in the United States and Japan. Its 55W rating places it at a lower wattage than the H9 used in the high beam position.
The D2S is a high-intensity discharge (HID) xenon bulb rated at 85V and 35W, fitted with a P32d-2 base. Unlike the halogen types used elsewhere in the RX-8 headlight system, the D2S requires an external ignitor to initiate the arc discharge that produces light.
The D2S is specifically designated for projector-type housings. Substituting it into a reflector-type housing would produce improper light distribution, as the optical design of each housing type is matched to a specific bulb geometry and light source position.
The H9 and H7 bulbs share the same 12V operating voltage but differ in wattage, with the H9 drawing 65W and the H7 drawing 55W. Their bases, PGJ19-5 and PX26d respectively, are physically incompatible with each other, making cross-position substitution between high and low beam sockets impossible without modification.
All three bulb types used in the RX-8 headlight system conform to ECE standards, which govern photometric output, base dimensions, and safety requirements across European and international markets. The H7 and H9 also carry approval in the United States, while the D2S is similarly recognized under ECE regulations worldwide.
Because the low beam position on the RX-8 accepts either an H7 or a D2S depending on the installed headlamp system, the two variants are not interchangeable. The halogen and HID systems use different housings, voltage requirements, and ignition components, making direct substitution between the two types incompatible without a full system change.