The Mercedes-Benz GL450 parking light requires a 12961 bulb size for proper installation and function within the lighting assembly. Data provided for the specific component covers the range from 2007 through 2012.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Mercedes-Benz GL450 uses the 12961 bulb for the front parking light across all listed model years, spanning 2007-2012.
The 12961 is a Philips part number designating a miniature wedge bulb in the T10 form factor.
T10 refers to the bulb's tubular shape, with the number indicating a width of 10 thirty-seconds of an inch, making it one of the most widely used miniature bulb formats in automotive lighting.
The 12961 uses a W2.1x9.5d base, which is the standard wedge-type base for T10 bulbs, relying on tension from the socket rather than a locking mechanism to maintain contact.
The bulb operates at 12 volts and draws 5 watts, consistent with low-power parking light applications where continuous illumination is expected without significant electrical load.
Because the 12961 is a Philips-specific part number, other manufacturers may produce functionally equivalent T10 W2.1x9.5d 12V 5W bulbs under different part numbers that fit the same socket.
The W2.1x9.5d base designation is standardized, meaning physical fitment is determined by the base specification rather than the brand or part number alone.
The consistent use of a single bulb size across the entire 2007-2012 model range indicates no mid-generation changes were made to the front parking light socket or electrical specification on the GL450.