The Nissan 300ZX side marker requires a bulb size of 12961 for the lighting assembly. Data for the specific bulb requirements covers the range from 1995 to 1995.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Nissan 300ZX side marker specifications cover model years 1984 through 1996, spanning both front and rear positions.
Two bulb sizes appear across these specifications: the 194 and the 158. Both are ANSI-standard miniature wedge bulbs of the T10 type, rated at 12 volts, and both are recognized under US and Canadian standards.
The primary distinction between the 194 and the 158 is wattage. The 194 draws 3.78 watts, while the 158 draws 3 watts. Despite sharing the same T10 wedge base, these two bulbs are not the same specification and are not interchangeable without accounting for that wattage difference.
For the front side marker position, the Nissan 300ZX uses the 158 bulb for model years 1984-1989, then transitions to the 194 bulb for model years 1990-1996.
For the rear side marker position, the 158 bulb is specified for model years 1984-1989, and the 194 bulb is specified for 1990-1993 and 1995-1996.
The rear side marker for the 1994 model year is specified as the 158 bulb, which differs from the adjacent model years 1993 and 1995, both of which use the 194 bulb. This makes 1994 a year-specific fitment that warrants attention during replacement.
Because the 194 and 158 share the T10 wedge base form factor, physical installation of either bulb into a socket designed for the other is possible, making the wattage difference a non-obvious but relevant compatibility factor.