Porsche Cayenne License Plate Bulb Size

Additional Notes

• The Porsche Cayenne uses two distinct bulb types across its license plate lighting specifications: the 12961 and the DE3423. These are not interchangeable, as they differ in base type, physical form, and contact design.
• The 12961 is a Philips part number designating a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W. The wedge base relies on the bulb's glass envelope being gripped directly by the socket, with no separate metal base or pins.
• The DE3423 follows the ANSI standard used in the United States and Canada. It is a festoon-type bulb with a 41mm length and end-cap contacts, meaning electrical connection is made through metal caps at each end of the cylindrical glass tube.
• The Porsche Cayenne (2011-2014) specifies the 12961 bulb for the license plate position. This T10 wedge format is among the most widely used bulb types in automotive interior and exterior lighting applications.
• The DE3423 festoon bulb is specified for the Porsche Cayenne across the 2003-2010 model years, covering the first generation of the Cayenne's production run in this dataset.
• Both bulb types operate on a 12V electrical system, which is standard for passenger vehicle lighting circuits. The 12961 carries an explicit 5W power rating, while the DE3423 specification does not include a wattage value in the provided data.
• The T10 wedge base of the 12961 is a push-in fitment, while the DE3423 festoon installs by compression between two spring-loaded contacts within a rectangular or cylindrical housing. Substituting one type for the other is not physically possible without socket modification.
• The 41mm length of the DE3423 is a critical fitment factor. Festoon bulbs are available in multiple lengths, and installing an incorrect length, such as a 36mm or 44mm variant, would result in poor contact or failure to seat properly in the housing.