The Mercedes-Benz 280SL uses a 3893 bulb size for both front and rear side marker applications. The replacement chart covers vehicle production spanning 1968 to 1971.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Mercedes-Benz 280SL uses the 3893 bulb for both front and rear side marker positions across the 1968-1971 model years.
The 3893 is an ANSI-standardized bulb type, meaning its specifications are governed by a recognized North American industry standard shared across the US and Canada.
As a dual-filament bulb, the 3893 contains two separate filaments within a single envelope, allowing it to serve more than one lighting function from a single socket.
The 3893 uses a BAY15d bayonet base, a two-pin offset bayonet mount where the two pins are positioned at different heights to prevent incorrect insertion orientation.
The 3893 operates at 12 volts, consistent with the standard electrical system voltage found in passenger vehicles of this era.
The classification of the 3893 as a specialty application bulb indicates it is not among the most widely distributed automotive bulb types and may have more limited retail availability than common replacements.
Because the same bulb number applies to all four model years across both front and rear positions, a single 3893 bulb serves as the replacement for every side marker location on the 1968-1971 280SL.
The BAY15d base is physically distinct from the single-pin BAY15s base, and the two are not interchangeable despite their similar bayonet mounting style.