Nissan 300ZX front turn signal bulbs use 1157 size, while rear turn signal bulbs use 1156 or 1157 size. The replacement chart covers 1984 to 1996 production years with corresponding bulb specifications.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Nissan 300ZX front turn signal position uses the 1157 bulb across all model years covered in the specifications, spanning 1984-1996.
The 1157 is a dual-filament bulb operating at 12V with a 21W main filament and a 5W secondary filament, fitted with a BAY15d bayonet base. The two filaments serve separate functions within a single housing, which is why this type is common in positions that combine signaling with another lighting function.
The 1156 is a single-filament bulb operating at 12V at 21W, fitted with a BA15s bayonet base. Unlike the 1157, it carries only one filament and is dedicated to a single lighting function.
The BAY15d base of the 1157 and the BA15s base of the 1156 are physically distinct. The BAY15d has offset locating pins to prevent incorrect installation, while the BA15s has symmetrical pins. These two bulbs are not interchangeable despite their similar appearance.
The rear turn signal position of the Nissan 300ZX shifted from the 1157 (1984-1987) to the 1156 (1988-1996), representing a change from a dual-filament to a single-filament application at the rear.
Both the 1157 and 1156 are ANSI-standardized bulbs recognized in the United States and Canada, meaning they conform to a defined set of electrical and physical specifications shared across manufacturers.
For the 1987 Nissan 300ZX, both the front and rear turn signal positions use the 1157 bulb, making that model year the only one in the specifications where a single bulb type serves both positions.
From 1988 onward, the front and rear turn signal positions of the 300ZX require different bulb types, with the 1157 at the front and the 1156 at the rear. Substituting one for the other in these positions would not be electrically or mechanically appropriate given the differing base designs and filament configurations.