Pontiac Safari Headlight Bulb Size

The Pontiac Safari uses 9005 and 9006 bulb sizes for high beam and low beam headlight applications respectively. A replacement chart documents bulb size specifications across 1987 to 1989 production years.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

High Beam Headlight

If US Type and EU Type show the same value, a direct cross-reference for this bulb is not available or the data is insufficient.

Years	US Type	EU Type	Shop
1989	9005	HB3	Check Price
1987-1988	H4651	H4651	Check Price

Low Beam Headlight

If US Type and EU Type show the same value, a direct cross-reference for this bulb is not available or the data is insufficient.

Years	US Type	EU Type	Shop
1989	9006	HB4	Check Price
1987-1988	H4656	H4656	Check Price

Bulb Specifications

Description	Type	Shop
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament halogen bulb with P20d base. 12V, 65W.	9005	Check Price
ANSI standard (US & Canada). 4x6-inch rectangular sealed beam unit. Not a replaceable bulb — the entire unit is replaced. 12V.	H4651	Check Price
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament halogen bulb with P22d base. 12V, 55W.	9006	Check Price
ANSI standard (US & Canada). 4x6-inch rectangular sealed beam unit. Not a replaceable bulb — the entire unit is replaced. 12V.	H4656	Check Price

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Pontiac Safari's headlight specifications show a transition between two distinct headlight technologies: sealed beam units for 1987-1988 and replaceable halogen bulbs for 1989.
The H4651 and H4656 are 4x6-inch rectangular sealed beam units, meaning the lens, reflector, and filament are fused into a single glass assembly. When the filament fails, the entire unit requires replacement rather than just the bulb.
Both the H4651 (high beam) and H4656 (low beam) operate at 12V and conform to ANSI standards applicable in the US and Canada. The 1987-1988 Safari uses these sealed beam types for both high and low beam positions.
The 9005 and 9006 bulbs used in the 1989 Safari are single-filament halogen bulbs, meaning each bulb serves only one function, requiring separate bulbs for high and low beam operation.
The 9005 high beam bulb carries a P20d base and operates at 12V with a 65W rating, while the 9006 low beam bulb uses a P22d base at 12V and 55W. The differing base types mean the two bulbs are not interchangeable with each other.
The P20d and P22d base designations are physically distinct fittings, a design that prevents accidental installation of a high beam bulb in a low beam socket or vice versa in the 1989 Safari.
All four bulb types across the Safari's specifications conform to ANSI standards, indicating compliance with a standardized North American specification rather than a proprietary or manufacturer-specific format.
The wattage difference between the 9005 (65W) and 9006 (55W) reflects a common industry practice of rating high beam bulbs at higher wattage to produce greater light output for long-range visibility.