Volkswagen Golf Map Light Bulb Size

Additional Notes

• The 12961 is a Philips part number designating a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12 volts and 5 watts. The T10 designation refers to the bulb's tubular form factor, and the W2.1x9.5d base is a wedge-type connection that requires no separate metal socket pins.
• The 6411 follows the ANSI standard used in the United States and Canada. It is a festoon-style bulb measuring 36mm in length with an SV8.5 base, also rated at 12 volts and 5 watts. Festoon bulbs seat by pressing between two spring contacts at each end rather than inserting into a wedge or bayonet socket.
• Although both the 12961 and 6411 share identical voltage and wattage ratings, their base types are physically incompatible. A wedge-base T10 bulb cannot be substituted into a festoon socket, and vice versa.
• The Volkswagen Golf used the 6411 festoon bulb for the map light in 1995-1996.
• For the 1999 Volkswagen Golf, two separate fitments are listed depending on production timing. Early production 1999 models take the 6411 festoon bulb, while late production 1999 models take the 12961 wedge bulb, indicating a mid-year socket change.
• From 1997 onward, with the exception of early 1999 production, the Golf standardized on the 12961 T10 wedge bulb for the map light position.
• The 12961 remained the specified map light bulb across the 2015-2019 model years, reflecting a long-running consistency in that socket design.
• The W2.1x9.5d base of the 12961 is a common wedge standard, meaning T10 bulbs from other manufacturers are generally interchangeable with the Philips 12961 provided they share the same base type and electrical rating.