Mercedes-Benz 280 front and rear side marker bulbs utilize a 3893 bulb size. The replacement chart covers 1973 to 1976 production years with corresponding bulb specifications.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Mercedes-Benz 280 uses the 3893 bulb for both front and rear side marker positions across the 1973-1976 model years.
The 3893 is classified as an ANSI standard bulb, meaning it conforms to the American National Standards Institute designation system used in the United States and Canada.
This bulb operates on a 12-volt electrical system, consistent with the standard automotive voltage found in passenger vehicles of this era.
The 3893 features a dual-filament design, which allows it to serve two distinct lighting functions within a single bulb housing.
Its base type is BAY15d, a bayonet-style mount with two offset pins. The offset pin placement of the BAY15d base prevents incorrect insertion, as the two pins are positioned at different heights around the base.
The BAY15d base is specific to dual-filament applications and is not interchangeable with single-filament bayonet bases such as the BA15s, despite their physical similarity.
The 3893 is noted as a specialty application bulb, indicating it is not among the most broadly distributed automotive bulb types and may have more limited retail availability than common replacements.
The front and rear side marker positions on the 1973-1976 Mercedes-Benz 280 share the same bulb specification, meaning a single bulb type services all four side marker locations on the vehicle.