What bulb does my parking light use?

The most common parking light bulbs are 168, 194, 2825, and W5W for smaller wedge-type fixtures. Some vehicles use a 3157 or 1157 dual-filament bulb that doubles as the parking light and turn signal. The only way to know for sure is to check your owner's manual or use our vehicle finder to look it up by year, make, and model.

Is the parking light the same as the headlight?

No. Parking lights are separate, dimmer lights that sit in or near the headlight housing. They're also called marker lights or city lights. On many vehicles, the parking light is a small bulb in the corner of the headlight assembly. When you turn your headlights on, the parking lights come on too. But you can run parking lights by themselves, which is what they were originally designed for.

Can I get a ticket for a burned out parking light?

It depends on the state. In most states, parking lights aren't required while driving. They are required to work when you're parked on a roadway at night in some jurisdictions though. That said, a burned out front marker light can attract attention from police and give them a reason to pull you over. The bulb costs a few bucks, so it's worth fixing.

Should I upgrade my parking lights to LED?

LED parking light bulbs are a popular upgrade. They're brighter, use less power, and last much longer than incandescent bulbs. They also give off a whiter, more modern look. Just make sure you get the right bulb size. Some LED bulbs are slightly longer than stock and might not fit inside the housing. Also, some vehicles may throw a dashboard warning light with LEDs because they draw less power. An anti-flicker resistor fixes that.

Why does my parking light keep burning out?

If you're replacing the same parking light bulb every few months, something else is going on. The most common culprits are a corroded socket, a bad ground wire, or a voltage issue. Water getting into the headlight housing can also corrode the socket and kill bulbs faster. Clean the socket contacts, check for moisture in the housing, and make sure the ground wire has a clean connection.

How to Replace a Parking Light Bulb (Step by Step)

Parking light burned out? It's a quick fix. About 15 minutes, a couple basic tools, and a bulb that costs less than a coffee. Here's the full walkthrough.

What You'll Need

New parking light bulb (matched to your exact year, make, and model)
Phillips head screwdriver (if you need to remove the headlight assembly)
Flathead screwdriver or trim removal tool (for popping out retainer clips)
Gloves (optional, but keeps your hands clean)
About 15 minutes

Step by Step Instructions

Locate the Parking Light

Parking lights are in or near the front headlight assembly on most vehicles. On many cars, the parking light shares the headlight housing and sits in a separate, smaller socket right next to the main headlight bulb. On some trucks and older vehicles, the parking light is in a separate housing in the front bumper or near the grille. If you're not sure which one it is, turn on just your parking lights (one click on the headlight switch) and look at which bulbs light up.

Access the Bulb Socket

Pop the hood and look at the back of the headlight assembly. You'll see a few different sockets plugged into the housing. The parking light socket is the smaller one, usually off to the side or bottom of the headlight unit. On some vehicles, especially newer ones with tightly packed engine bays, you might need to remove the air intake box or push aside a fender liner to get your hand in there. A few vehicles require removing the entire headlight assembly first, but that's usually just two or three bolts.

Remove the Old Bulb

Twist the socket counterclockwise about a quarter turn and pull it out of the housing. Now you've got the socket in your hand with the old bulb in it. If it's a small wedge-base bulb (like a 194 or 168), just pull it straight out. If it's a bayonet-style bulb (like a 1157), push the bulb in slightly and twist counterclockwise to release it. Take a look at the socket while it's out. If you see green corrosion or burnt contacts, clean them with a small wire brush or sandpaper before putting the new bulb in.

Install the New Bulb

Push the new bulb into the socket. For wedge-base bulbs, press straight in until it's firmly seated. For bayonet bulbs, line up the pins with the slots in the socket, push in, and twist clockwise until it clicks into place. If you're putting in an LED bulb and it doesn't work when you test it, pull it out and flip it 180 degrees. Many LED bulbs are polarity-sensitive.

Test and Reassemble

Before you put everything back together, test the bulb. Plug the socket back into the headlight housing, twist it clockwise to lock it in, and turn on your parking lights. Walk to the front of the car and make sure the new bulb is lit. If it works, put back any parts you removed (air box, fender liner, headlight assembly bolts) and close the hood. Done.

Tips and Things to Watch For

Don't confuse parking lights with DRLs. Daytime running lights and parking lights can use the same bulb on some vehicles, but they're different systems. DRLs come on automatically when the car is running. Parking lights are controlled by the headlight switch. If your DRLs are out but the parking light works, the issue is likely the DRL module, not the bulb.
Check for moisture in the headlight housing. While you've got the socket out, look inside the housing for condensation or water pooling. Moisture is the number one reason parking light bulbs burn out early. If you see water in there, check the housing seals and vents.
Replace the other side too. If one parking light burned out, the other is probably not far behind. These bulbs are cheap. Do both sides while you're at it and save yourself a second trip under the hood.
Be careful with halogen headlight bulbs nearby. While you're working near the headlight assembly, be careful not to touch the glass of any halogen headlight bulbs. The oils from your skin create hot spots that shorten the bulb's life. If you accidentally touch one, wipe it down with rubbing alcohol before turning the lights on.

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