The Mercedes-Benz S600 parking light uses bulb sizes 12961 and 2357NA depending on the specific version of the vehicle. Available data for the bulb sizes covers the range from 1995 through 2013.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Mercedes-Benz S600 front parking light specifications cover model years 1995-2013, with two distinct bulb types appearing across that range: the 12961 and the 2357NA.
The 12961 is a Philips part number designating a miniature wedge-style T10 bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W. Its wedge base means it is held in place by tension from the socket rather than by a locking mechanism.
The 2357NA is an ANSI-standard dual-filament bulb with a BAY15d bayonet base, rated at 12V with a high filament of 26.9W and a low filament of 8W. The "NA" designation indicates natural amber glass, which produces an amber color without the use of a colored lens or coating.
The BAY15d base of the 2357NA features two offset pins, which physically prevent incorrect installation by ensuring only one rotational orientation is accepted by the socket. This base type is not interchangeable with the wedge base of the 12961.
For the Mercedes-Benz S600, model years 2003-2013 use exclusively the 12961 bulb for the front parking light position.
Model years 1995-1999 of the S600 show a split fitment: vehicles designated as having "Special protection" take the 12961, while standard vehicles for those same years take the 2357NA.
The 2357NA's dual-filament construction and significantly higher wattage on its primary filament distinguish it functionally from the single-filament, low-wattage 12961, making the two bulbs non-interchangeable despite both being used in the same parking light position across different S600 configurations.
Model years 2001 and 2002 of the S600 are specified with the 12961 bulb, placing them in the same fitment group as the 2003-2013 range for this position.
The "Special protection" qualifier attached to the 1995-1999 12961 entries indicates an armored or security-variant trim level, which carries a different front lighting assembly than the standard production vehicle of the same years.
Because the 12961 and 2357NA differ in base type, wattage, filament count, and glass color, substituting one for the other is not supported by these specifications, even within the same model year where both appear for different vehicle variants.