Volvo 265 Dome Light Bulb Size

The Volvo 265 dome light requires 6411, DE3423, or 212-2 bulb sizes depending on the specific version of the vehicle. Data for the bulb sizes covers the range from 1976 to 1981.

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
1981	6411
1980	DE3423
1977-1979	212-2
1976	DE3423

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 36mm length, SV8.5 base. 12V, 5W.	6411
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V.	DE3423
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, SV8.5 base. 12V, 12W.	212-2

Other Locations

Additional Notes

All dome light bulb sizes listed for the Volvo 265 across the 1976-1981 model years are ANSI-standard festoon bulbs rated for 12-volt electrical systems.
Festoon bulbs are cylindrical lamps that make contact at both ends of the housing rather than through a side-mounted base, a form factor common in interior automotive lighting.
The 212-2 bulb is the most frequently specified type in these listings, covering the 1977-1979 model years.
The 212-2 is a 41mm festoon bulb with an SV8.5 base and a rated wattage of 12W, making it the highest-wattage bulb among the three types listed.
The SV8.5 base designation refers to a festoon cap with a width of 8.5mm, a standard measurement used to ensure correct socket fitment.
The DE3423 is specified for the 1976 and 1980 model years and shares the 41mm length of the 212-2 but uses end-cap contacts rather than an SV8.5 base, indicating a different socket interface.
Because the DE3423 and 212-2 share the same 41mm length but differ in base type, the two bulbs are not directly interchangeable despite their physical similarity in length.
The 1981 Volvo 265 uses the 6411 bulb, which is a 36mm festoon with an SV8.5 base rated at 5W, a shorter and lower-wattage specification than those used in earlier model years.
The 6411 and 212-2 share the SV8.5 base type but differ in length (36mm versus 41mm), meaning they are not interchangeable due to the difference in housing fit.