Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme License Plate Bulb Size

The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme license plate component utilizes 194 and 97 bulb sizes according to the specific technical data provided for the vehicle. Information provided covers the historical span from 1967 through 1997 for the identified automotive lighting requirements.

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
1989-1997	194
1974-1987	194
1967-1973	97

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	97

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme uses two distinct bulb types for the license plate position across its model years: the 194 and the 97, both of which are ANSI-standardized bulbs for the US and Canadian markets.
The 194 is a T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12 volts and 3.78 watts. Its wedge base design means it is held in place by the socket itself rather than by a separate locking mechanism such as a bayonet collar.
The 97 is a single-filament bulb with a BA15s bayonet base, rated at 12 volts and 13 watts. The BA15s designation indicates a single-contact bayonet fitting with a 15mm base width.
At 13 watts, the 97 bulb draws considerably more power than the 3.78-watt 194, which reflects a difference in socket and circuit design between the two generations of the Cutlass Supreme.
The 97 is noted as a variant of the 1156 bulb. While the two share a BA15s bayonet base, they are not identical, and substituting one for the other without confirming wattage and base compatibility could result in an improper fit or electrical mismatch.
The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (1967-1973) uses the 97 bulb for the license plate position, while the 1974-1997 model years use the 194.
The base type change from BA15s bayonet (97) to wedge (194) means the two bulbs are not interchangeable. The socket design for each type is physically incompatible with the other.
The 194 wedge bulb is widely used across many vehicle makes and positions, making replacement units broadly available in both incandescent and LED form factors that retain the T10 wedge base.