What is the low beam headlight bulb size for a 1988 Buick Regal?

The 1988 Buick Regal uses a 9006 bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

What is the high beam headlight bulb size for a 1988 Buick Regal?

The high beam bulb size for the 1988 Buick Regal is 9005.

Why are my 1988 Buick Regal headlights dim?

Dim headlights on a 1988 Buick Regal can be caused by aging halogen bulbs, which lose brightness over time, or oxidation (cloudiness) on the plastic headlight lenses. Upgrading to a 9006 LED conversion kit can provide a significantly brighter and whiter light output.

Which bulb fits the 1988 Buick Regal fog light?

The 1988 Buick Regal typically does not come with factory fog lights in all trim levels. If your vehicle is equipped with them, check the manual as sizes can vary by trim.

Is the 1988 Buick Regal single or dual beam?

The 1988 Buick Regal uses a dual bulb headlight system. This means you have separate bulbs for high and low beams.

Can I install LED bulbs on my 1988 Buick Regal?

Yes, the 1988 Buick Regal comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a 9006 LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Did the 1988 Buick Regal change headlight bulb sizes from the previous year?

Yes — the 1988 Buick Regal uses different bulb sizes than the 1987 model. The 1988 generation introduced this bulb configuration.

Is the 1988 Buick Regal the first or last year to use 9006 bulbs?

The 1988 Buick Regal is the only year in the 1988 generation to use the 9006 bulb for the low beam headlight.

How do I change the headlight on a 1988 Buick Regal?

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 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.

Are LED headlights legal for a 1988 Buick Regal?

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 kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

How much does it cost to replace 1988 Buick Regal headlights?

A pair of halogen 9006 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.

What is the difference between halogen and LED for a 1988 Buick Regal?

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 position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements.

The 1988 Buick Regal has a unique bulb configuration not shared with adjacent model years.

Fitment Guaranteed for 1988 Buick Regal

What Size Bulbs Does a 1988 Buick Regal 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 1988 Buick Regal Have?

When it comes to nighttime visibility, the 1988 Buick Regal relies on an arrangement of 11 specialized bulbs. It features an extensive lighting system powered by a dual-bulb halogen configuration using separate 9006 low beam and 9005 high beam bulbs for precise light distribution. This model belongs to the mid years of the Regal's 1973-2017 production span.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 1988 Buick Regal?

Upgrading to LED is one of the most effective ways to modernize your Buick's appearance and safety profile. We recommend starting your upgrade with the 9006 low beams, as they see the most use. Adding a matching 9005 LED kit later will complete the look and ensure consistent lighting performance.

1988 Buick Regal Bulb Size Chart

Position	Bulb Size	Shop
Side Marker	194	Buy 194 →
Low Beam	9006	Buy 9006 →
Turn Signal Front	890	Buy 890 →
High Beam	9005	Buy 9005 →
Brake Light	3157CK	Buy 3157CK →
Turn Signal Rear	3157CK	Buy 3157CK →
Tail Light	3157CK	Buy 3157CK →
Reverse Light	890	Buy 890 →
Parking Light	194	Buy 194 →
License Plate	194	Buy 194 →
Trunk Light	912	Buy 912 →

How do the 1988 Buick Regal's bulbs compare to other years?

The 1988 Buick Regal changed bulb sizes from 1987. The previous model year used a different configuration.

The 1990 model switched to a different bulb configuration.

This bulb configuration covers the 1988 model years. ← 1987 1990 →

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Other Regal Years

2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973

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9006 Comparisons

9005 vs 9006 9006 vs H11 9006 vs HB4