The Mercedes-Benz SLK280 parking light requires bulb size 12961 or 3457NA depending on the specific version of the component. Data for the requested information covers the range from 2006 to 2008.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The 12961 is a Philips-designated miniature wedge bulb using the T10 form factor with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12 volts and 5 watts. It is a single-filament, low-wattage bulb suited for parking and position light applications.
The 3457NA follows the ANSI standard used in the United States and Canada. It is a dual-filament wedge bulb in the T25 form factor, rated at 12 volts with a 27W/7W output, and features natural amber glass rather than a clear envelope.
The dual-filament design of the 3457NA means it serves two separate electrical circuits within a single bulb, typically combining a brighter filament for signaling with a dimmer filament for running or parking functions.
The natural amber glass of the 3457NA produces an amber output without relying on a colored lens, which distinguishes it from clear-glass bulbs used behind amber-tinted housings.
The 12961 and 3457NA are not interchangeable. Their base types, wattage ratings, filament counts, and physical sizes differ significantly, and substituting one for the other would be incompatible with the socket and circuit requirements of the housing.
For the Mercedes-Benz SLK280, the front parking light position uses the 12961 across the 2006-2008 model years in one fitment grouping, while a second fitment grouping specifies the 3457NA for the 2006 model year and the 12961 for 2007-2008.
The W2.1x9.5d base designation on the 12961 refers to a wedge-type base with a 2.1mm wire width and a 9.5mm depth, a format common across many European and Asian vehicle applications.