Mercury Tracer License Plate Bulb Size

The Mercury Tracer license plate light requires a 168 bulb size for proper illumination of the rear vehicle identification area. Data for the specific component covers the period from 1988 through 1999.

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
1997-1999	168
1991-1992	168
1988-1989	168

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 168 bulb is the sole license plate bulb size listed across all model years of the Mercury Tracer covered by these specifications.
The 168 bulb follows the ANSI standard recognized in both the United States and Canada, meaning it conforms to a shared North American specification for electrical and photometric performance.
It is a miniature wedge-type bulb, classified under the T10 designation. The T10 designation refers to a bulb body that is 10 eighths of an inch (roughly 31.75mm) in length, with a wedge-shaped base that connects directly into a socket without a separate metal cap or pins.
The 168 operates at 12 volts and draws 4.9 watts, placing it in the low-wattage range typical of auxiliary lighting functions such as license plate illumination.
The 1997-1999 model years share the 168 fitment, as do the 1991-1992 model years and the 1988-1989 model years, indicating consistent socket compatibility within each of those groups.
The wedge base design of the T10 bulb means fitment depends on socket size and contact spacing. Substituting a physically similar but differently rated wedge bulb risks improper electrical load or an insecure fit in the socket.