Polaris 500 Tail Light Bulb Size

The Polaris 500 tail light utilizes 194 and 3157 bulb sizes for the rear lighting components. Available information covers the specific time range from 1989 through 2006.

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
2006	3157
1989-2005	194

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament wedge bulb (T25). 12V, 27W/7W.	3157
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 194 bulb is the tail light specification for the Polaris 500 across the 1989-2005 model years, making it the predominant bulb type in these specifications.
The 194 is a miniature wedge bulb classified under the T10 form factor, operating at 12V with a power draw of 3.78W, placing it in the low-wattage range typical of parking and marker light applications.
The 3157 bulb is specified for the 2006 Polaris 500, representing a distinct departure from the 194 used in prior years.
The 3157 is a dual-filament wedge bulb classified under the T25 form factor, operating at 12V with a split wattage rating of 27W on the high filament and 7W on the low filament, a configuration associated with combined stop and tail light functions.
Both bulb types conform to ANSI standards applicable in the United States and Canada, indicating standardized electrical and physical specifications within those markets.
The T10 and T25 designations refer to the tubular width of each bulb, with T25 being physically larger than T10; the two types are not interchangeable due to differences in size, wattage, and filament count.
The shift from a single-filament 3.78W bulb to a dual-filament 27W/7W bulb between the 2005 and 2006 model years reflects a change in the tail light assembly's electrical requirements.