The Nissan 280Z front and rear side marker bulbs both utilize a 97 bulb size. The replacement chart covers 1975 to 1978 vehicle production years with corresponding bulb size specifications.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Nissan 280Z uses the 97 bulb for both front and rear side markers across the 1975-1978 model years.
The 97 is an ANSI-standardized bulb, meaning it conforms to a defined set of electrical and physical specifications recognized across the United States and Canada.
It is a single-filament bulb, which means it serves one lighting function rather than combining two, such as running light and brake light, into a single unit.
The 97 uses a BA15s bayonet base, a single-contact mount where the bulb is inserted and twisted to lock into place.
The 97 operates at 12 volts and draws 13 watts, placing it in the lower wattage range typical of side marker applications.
The 97 is described as a variant of the 1156 bulb. While both share the BA15s base, the 1156 operates at a higher wattage of approximately 26.9 watts, making the two bulbs electrically incompatible as direct substitutes despite their physical similarities.
Because the front and rear side marker positions on the Nissan 280Z share the same bulb size across all listed model years, a single bulb type services all four side marker positions on the vehicle.