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Fitment Guaranteed for 1996 Chevrolet Astro

What Size Bulbs Does a 1996 Chevrolet Astro Use?

Correct headlight, fog light, and tail light bulb sizes. Sourced from OEM catalog data.

Installation Difficulty

Easy (Plug and Play)

Est. Replacement Cost

$15 - $40 (Halogen) / $30+ (LED)

What Lighting System Does the 1996 Chevrolet Astro Have?

The 1996 Chevrolet Astro features an extensive lighting system with 11 bulb positions. It uses halogen technology with 9006 LED low beams and PC74 high beams in a dual-bulb configuration. The Astro has been available from 1995 to 1999, and the 1996 model falls in the early-generation years.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 1996 Chevrolet Astro?

To upgrade the 1996 Chevrolet Astro headlights to LED, you will need a 9006 LED LED kit for the low beams and a PC74 LED kit for the high beams. Start with the low beams since they are used most often and have the biggest impact on nighttime visibility.

How to Replace Bulbs on a 1996 Chevrolet Astro

The 9006 bulb uses a push-and-twist L-shaped bayonet lock. To remove the old bulb, disconnect the wiring harness first, then twist the bulb counter-clockwise and pull it out. Older model years like the 1996 Astro typically offer easy access to the headlight bulbs from behind the headlight assembly under the hood. Most owners can complete the swap in under 10 minutes per side. When installing the new bulb, avoid touching the glass with bare fingers. Skin oils create hot spots that shorten bulb life. Wear clean gloves or handle the bulb by its plastic base only.

Full Upgrade Bundle

Upgrade All 13 Positions at Once

Low Beam: 9006 LEDHigh Beam: PC74Fog Light: N/ABrake Light: N/ASide Marker: 194 LEDTurn Signal Front: 3157A LEDTurn Signal Rear: 2057 LEDReverse Light: 1156Dome Light: 211-2 or 906License Plate: 194Map Light: 168Parking Light: 3157ATrunk Light: LED Light
Shop Complete LED Kit

1996 Chevrolet Astro Complete Bulb Size Chart

PositionBulb SizeShop
Low Beam
9006 LEDBuy 9006 LED
High Beam
PC74Buy PC74
Fog Light
N/ABuy N/A
Brake Light
N/ABuy N/A
Side Marker
194 LEDBuy 194 LED
Turn Signal Front
3157A LEDBuy 3157A LED
Turn Signal Rear
2057 LEDBuy 2057 LED
Reverse Light
1156Buy 1156
Dome Light
211-2 or 906Buy 211-2 or 906
License Plate
194Buy 194
Map Light
168Buy 168
Parking Light
3157ABuy 3157A
Trunk Light
LED LightBuy LED Light

Want to upgrade everything at once?

Shop Complete LED Kit for 1996 Chevrolet Astro
Installation Guide
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How Long Do 1996 Chevrolet Astro Headlight Bulbs Last?

Standard halogen headlights on the 1996 Chevrolet Astro have an expected lifespan of 500 to 1,000 hours, which works out to roughly 2 to 3 years of normal use. Signs of a failing halogen bulb include noticeably dimmer output, a yellowish tint compared to the other headlight, or intermittent flickering. At 30 years old, the original bulbs on your Astro are likely overdue for replacement. Even if they still illuminate, reduced brightness significantly impacts nighttime safety. When one headlight burns out, replace both sides at the same time. Bulbs from the same batch age at similar rates, and mismatched brightness is distracting to oncoming drivers.

What Bulbs Are Compatible with the 1996 Chevrolet Astro?

The 9006 low beam bulb on the 1996 Chevrolet Astro is cross-compatible with HB4 bulbs. These share the same physical base and electrical connection, so they will fit the socket. However, 9006 is the recommended size because it is optimized for the wattage and beam pattern designed into your headlight housing. Using the wrong bulb size can cause improper beam patterns that reduce your visibility and blind other drivers. It can also cause overheating inside the headlight housing, potentially warping the plastic lens or reflector. Always verify the bulb number before purchasing.

1996 Chevrolet Astro Headlight FAQ

The 1996 Chevrolet Astro uses a 9006 LED bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

The high beam bulb size for the 1996 Chevrolet Astro is PC74.

The 1996 Chevrolet Astro uses a dual bulb headlight system. This means you have separate bulbs for high and low beams.

Yes, the 1996 Chevrolet Astro comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a 9006 LED LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Yes, the 1996 Chevrolet Astro takes a N/A bulb for the fog light position.

Turn off the vehicle and open the hood. Locate the headlight assembly from behind, remove the dust cover or retaining clip, disconnect the wiring harness, twist the old 9006 LED bulb counter-clockwise to remove it, then insert the new bulb and reassemble. The whole process typically takes 10 to 30 minutes per side depending on accessibility.

LED bulbs used off-road or in auxiliary lights are legal everywhere. For on-road headlight use, legality varies by state. Many states allow LED retrofits as long as the beam pattern meets DOT standards. For the best legal compliance, choose a DOT-approved 9006 LED LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

A pair of halogen 9006 LED bulbs costs $15 to $40, while LED conversion kits run $25 to $60 per pair. If you have a shop do the work, expect an additional $20 to $50 in labor per bulb. Replacing them yourself at home saves the labor cost and usually takes under 30 minutes.

Halogen bulbs produce a warm yellow light (around 3200K), last 500 to 1000 hours, and draw more power. LED bulbs emit a brighter white light (5000-6000K), last 25,000+ hours, and use less energy. LED upgrades for the 9006 LED position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements.

Did Chevrolet Astro Bulb Sizes Change Over the Years?

The Chevrolet Astro has maintained consistent bulb sizes across all model years from 1995 to 1999. The low beam has used a 9006 LED bulb throughout, which means replacement parts and LED upgrade kits are widely available and well-tested for this model. If you find a deal on bulbs for any Astro year in this range, they will fit your 1996 model.

Other Astro Years

199919971995
AvalancheAveoBerettaBlazerBolt EVCamaroCamaro Z28Camaro ZL1

Other Vehicles That Use 9006 LED Bulbs

These vehicles from other makes also use a 9006 LED low beam bulb:

2020 Dodge Journey2019 GMC Savana 2500 HD2019 GMC Savana 3500 HD2015 Honda Civic2015 Nissan Armada2015 Nissan Titan