There are over 100 standardized types of auto light bulbs, covering various applications such as headlights, fog lights, turn signals, and interior lighting. The exact number can vary based on regional standards and specific vehicle requirements.
Some common categories include:
- Halogen Bulbs: Like H1, H3, H4, H7, 9004, 9005, 9006, and H11.
- LED Bulbs: Available in various forms, often designed to fit traditional bulb sockets.
- HID (Xenon) Bulbs: Types like D1, D2, D3, and D4.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common bulb types, focusing mainly on headlight and fog light bulbs:
- H4: A dual filament bulb often used for both low and high beam headlights. It’s widely used in many vehicles.
- 9006: A single beam bulb primarily used for low beam headlights. It’s known for its compact design and efficiency.
- H7: A single filament bulb used for high beam or low beam applications in various vehicles.
- H11: Commonly used for fog lights or low beam headlights, known for its simplicity and effectiveness.
- H1: A single filament bulb often used in high beam applications.
- 9005: Primarily used for high beam headlights, it features a larger filament for increased brightness.
- H3: A single filament bulb often used for fog lights and auxiliary lights.
- H8/H9/H11: These are variations of single filament bulbs, typically used for fog lights or low beams, with H8 and H9 offering slightly different wattages.
- 880/881: Designed for fog lights, these bulbs have a specific base and are often used in vehicles requiring focused light output.
- 9004: A dual filament bulb used for both high and low beams in some older vehicles.
- 9145: Primarily used for fog lights, known for its higher intensity.
- D1/D2/D3/D4: These are HID bulbs with variations in wattage and performance, used in high-end vehicles.
Most vehicles will use a handful of these types, typically a mix of halogen and possibly LED or HID options.
