3357NA vs 3457LL

[route66]

So my taillight goes out, and I replace it. Manual says use a 3357NA, the actual bulb that I removed was a 3157K, the store only had 3357/3457LL. The bulb I bought and the bulb I removed were both 12V, so I'm guessing 3457 is just a replacement for 3157? What's the letters at the end mean?

I've never had to deal with replacing bulbs before.

 

[Zenmervolt]

"NA" means "Natural Amber". The actual physical type is 3457. "LL" means "Long Life".

A standard 3457 bulb would be clear. A 3457NA is tinter amber. A 3457LL is a 3457 long life (typically fewer lumens but a longer expected life), and is likely to be clear.

You should NOT use a clear bulb when an NA bulb is called for since it will cause your signals and marker lights to be less distinct.

ZV

 

[route66]

What does the K stand for?

 

[Zenmervolt]

It's a nonstandard suffix as far as I can tell.

A little more digging, it means it's a Krypton-filled bulb (a type of long-life bulb).

The difference between a 3147 and a 3347/3457 bulb is simply in the draw. A 3147 bulb will draw less current and produce fewer lumens (22) than a 3357/3347 (30 lumens). The bases are the same. No harm from the PO using a 3147K.

ZV