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Fitment Guaranteed for 1997 Chevrolet Lumina

What Size Bulbs Does a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina 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 1997 Chevrolet Lumina Have?

The 1997 Chevrolet Lumina features an extensive lighting system with 12 bulb positions. It uses halogen technology with 9006 LED low beams and 161 high beams in a dual-bulb configuration. The Lumina has been available from 1994 to 2001, and the 1997 model falls in the mid-generation years.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina?

To upgrade the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina headlights to LED, you will need a 9006 LED LED kit for the low beams and a 161 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. For the fog lights, a LED Fog Light LED bulb provides a clean white output that pairs well with LED headlights.

How to Replace Bulbs on a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina

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 1997 Lumina 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. The fog lights are accessed from underneath the front bumper. You may need to remove a few plastic clips or screws from the fender liner to reach the LED Fog Light fog light socket.

Full Upgrade Bundle

Upgrade All 12 Positions at Once

Low Beam: 9006 LEDHigh Beam: 161Fog Light: LED Fog LightBrake Light: 1156 LED or 577 LED or 891 LEDSide Marker: 194 LEDTurn Signal Front: 3357NA LEDTurn Signal Rear: 3057 LEDReverse Light: 3057Dome Light: 562License Plate: 168Parking Light: 3357NATrunk Light: 912
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How Long Do 1997 Chevrolet Lumina Headlight Bulbs Last?

Standard halogen headlights on the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina 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 29 years old, the original bulbs on your Lumina 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 1997 Chevrolet Lumina?

The 9006 low beam bulb on the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina 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.

1997 Chevrolet Lumina Headlight FAQ

The 1997 Chevrolet Lumina 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 1997 Chevrolet Lumina is 161.

The 1997 Chevrolet Lumina uses a dual bulb headlight system. This means you have separate bulbs for high and low beams.

Yes, the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina 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 1997 Chevrolet Lumina takes a LED Fog Light 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 Lumina Bulb Sizes Change Over the Years?

Over its production run from 1994 to 2001, the Chevrolet Lumina has seen bulb size changes in the High Beam, Brake Light and Turn Signal Front positions. The 1997 model uses the earlier bulb specification that was in place before the change around 2000. Always verify the exact bulb size for your specific 1997 model year using the chart above, as using the wrong size can result in poor fitment or reduced light output.

Other Lumina Years

Other Vehicles That Use 9006 LED Bulbs

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