Volvo VHD Dome Light Bulb Size

The Volvo VHD dome light utilizes P21W and 211-2 bulb sizes for interior illumination across various production versions. Provided information covers a time range from 2001 through 2015.

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
2013-2015	P21W
2012	211-2
2001-2011	P21W

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ECE standard (Europe & worldwide). Single-filament signalling bulb with BA15s bayonet base. 12V, 21W.	P21W
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, SV8.5 base. 12V, 12W.	211-2

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The P21W is the dominant dome light bulb type across the Volvo VHD, appearing in 14 of the 15 model years covered by these specifications, spanning 2001-2011 and 2013-2015.
The P21W operates at 12 volts and 21 watts, drawing notably more power than many interior lighting bulbs of comparable application.
As an ECE-standard bulb, the P21W is designed to meet European and international regulatory requirements, reflecting a globally distributed component choice.
The P21W uses a BA15s bayonet base, which is a single-contact bayonet fitting. This base type is not interchangeable with double-contact bayonet bases such as the BA15d.
The P21W is a single-filament bulb, meaning it produces one fixed output level with no provision for dual-intensity operation.
The 2012 Volvo VHD is specified with the 211-2 bulb rather than the P21W, representing a departure from the bulb type used in surrounding model years.
The 211-2 is a festoon-style bulb with an SV8.5 base and a 41mm length, operating at 12 volts and 12 watts. Its physical format and wattage differ substantially from the P21W.
Because the P21W uses a bayonet base and the 211-2 uses a festoon-style SV8.5 base, the two bulb types are not interchangeable despite sharing the same operating voltage.
The 211-2 follows the ANSI standard, which governs bulb specifications primarily in the United States and Canada, in contrast to the ECE standard of the P21W.
The wattage difference between the P21W at 21 watts and the 211-2 at 12 watts means the two bulbs produce different levels of light output and place different electrical loads on the vehicle circuit.