The original license plate bulbs in my Equinox burned out after 7 years. Pretty good lifespan! Replacing them is a 5 minute job. Actually finding the bulbs was a hassle.
GM (manual) says to use W5WLL
Philips says their equivalent part is a 12961
Wagner says their equivalent part is 17177
Sylvania shows no equivalent part in their parts finder
Pepboys sells a Champion branded 17177, but they were sold out
NAPA also sells the 17177, but they were sold out
Both Autozone and Advanced Auto said they could get the bulbs for me in 5-7 days. However they said the Sylvania 2825 was an exact equivalent (despite Sylvania's own parts finder saying they had no matching bulb for the license plate bulb.)
No one around here offers the Philips 12961.
Peak sells a 2825 bulb, but the nearest in stock source for that was 20 miles away.
Found a bulb cross reference chart online that showed GM W5WLL = 12961 = 17177 = 2825
Went to Walmart who had the Sylvania 2825 in stock for $5 for two bulbs. Walmart now keeps their automotive lighting products in a locked case. Had to have the Tire Center clerk unlock the case to get the bulbs. They also require customers to pay for the bulbs at the Tire Center register. Guess they were having quite an issue with light bulb theft or something.
The Sylvania 2825 was an exact fit. Other sources online claim a 194 bulb will also work. Instead of being a 5W bulb, the 194 is a 3.9W bulb so there might be a very slight brightness difference. That would have been my alternative if I couldn't find the 5W bulb.
It is interesting that there is no consistency in part numbers for these miniature light bulbs. Also not sure if the supply chain shortage was the cause of having to look all over for a pack of bulbs, or because they last so long they aren't sold with enough frequency for the auto parts stores to keep in regular inventory. Who knows. I didn't bother calling a GM dealer. GM's retail price per bulb is $5...double the price of aftermarket.
GM (manual) says to use W5WLL
Philips says their equivalent part is a 12961
Wagner says their equivalent part is 17177
Sylvania shows no equivalent part in their parts finder
Pepboys sells a Champion branded 17177, but they were sold out
NAPA also sells the 17177, but they were sold out
Both Autozone and Advanced Auto said they could get the bulbs for me in 5-7 days. However they said the Sylvania 2825 was an exact equivalent (despite Sylvania's own parts finder saying they had no matching bulb for the license plate bulb.)
No one around here offers the Philips 12961.
Peak sells a 2825 bulb, but the nearest in stock source for that was 20 miles away.
Found a bulb cross reference chart online that showed GM W5WLL = 12961 = 17177 = 2825
Went to Walmart who had the Sylvania 2825 in stock for $5 for two bulbs. Walmart now keeps their automotive lighting products in a locked case. Had to have the Tire Center clerk unlock the case to get the bulbs. They also require customers to pay for the bulbs at the Tire Center register. Guess they were having quite an issue with light bulb theft or something.
The Sylvania 2825 was an exact fit. Other sources online claim a 194 bulb will also work. Instead of being a 5W bulb, the 194 is a 3.9W bulb so there might be a very slight brightness difference. That would have been my alternative if I couldn't find the 5W bulb.
It is interesting that there is no consistency in part numbers for these miniature light bulbs. Also not sure if the supply chain shortage was the cause of having to look all over for a pack of bulbs, or because they last so long they aren't sold with enough frequency for the auto parts stores to keep in regular inventory. Who knows. I didn't bother calling a GM dealer. GM's retail price per bulb is $5...double the price of aftermarket.