Mercedes-Benz C240 Map Light Bulb Size

The Mercedes-Benz C240 map light requires bulb sizes 6411 and 12961 for the interior lighting system. Data for the specified components covers the range from 2001 to 2005.

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
2003-2005	6411
2001-2002	12961

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 36mm length, SV8.5 base. 12V, 5W.	6411
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Mercedes-Benz C240 map light uses two distinct bulb types across its 2001-2005 model years, with the changeover occurring between the 2002 and 2003 model years.
The 6411 is an ANSI-standardized bulb, meaning it conforms to a North American industry-wide designation used across multiple vehicle manufacturers rather than being proprietary to a single brand.
The 6411 bulb is a festoon type, which is a cylindrical bulb that mounts by pressing its end caps into spring clips rather than inserting into a socket.
The 6411 measures 36mm in length and uses an SV8.5 base, operating at 12V and 5W. It is the specified map light bulb for the C240 in the 2003-2005 model years.
The 12961 is a Philips part number designation rather than an ANSI standard, which means cross-referencing to other manufacturers' catalogs may require matching the underlying bulb type rather than the number itself.
The 12961 is a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, operating at 12V and 5W. It is the specified map light bulb for the C240 in the 2001-2002 model years.
Although both the 6411 and 12961 share identical voltage and wattage ratings of 12V and 5W, their base types are physically incompatible. The festoon SV8.5 base and the wedge W2.1x9.5d base require different socket designs and are not interchangeable.
The T10 wedge form factor of the 12961 is among the most widely used bulb formats in automotive interior lighting, while the festoon format of the 6411 is typically found in dome and map light housings that use clip-style retention.