Product Specifications

ITEM	VOLTAGE	WATTAGE	BASE	CERT
HB4/9006	12V	51W	P22d	E4
	12V	100W	P22d

I. Overview & Standard Role
The 9006 (P22d) is the standardized low‑beam counterpart to the 9005 high‑beam bulb in the North American SAE/DOT 9000‑series system. It has been the factory‑specified low‑beam bulb for millions of vehicles—predominantly Japanese and North American models—from the 1990s through the 2010s. Its design prioritizes a sharp, glare‑controlled beam pattern for safe oncoming traffic while providing adequate road illumination.

II. Key Characteristics & Application

1. Dedicated Low‑Beam Function: A single‑filament bulb engineered exclusively for low‑beam use, typically operating at 55W. Its filament position and internal shielding are optimized to produce a beam with a distinct horizontal cutoff, preventing excessive upward light that would dazzle other drivers.

2. Precision Optical Matching: The bulb is designed to work with specific reflector or projector housings to achieve SAE/DOT‑compliant beam patterns, ensuring both visibility and regulatory safety.

3. System Partnership: It is always paired with the 9005 (high‑beam) bulb in vehicles equipped with separate high/low beam units (the “9005/9006 system”). The two bulbs are electrically and mechanically different and must not be swapped.

III. Identification & Critical Compatibility

• Base: P22d. This is a plastic plug‑in base with two opposing wire guides—similar in style to the 9005’s P20d base but with a different keyway shape and pin spacing, making them physically non‑interchangeable.

• Visual Cue: Many 9006 bulbs have a blue‑tinted glass tip or a faint blue stripe near the base, a common (though not universal) marker to distinguish it from the clear‑tip 9005.

• Absolute Non‑Interchangeability:
  — Not interchangeable with 9005 (different keyway and electrical focus).
  — Not interchangeable with H11, H9, or H16 (different base families).
  — Not interchangeable with 9012 (another low‑beam bulb with a different base).

• Primary Application: Installed in the low‑beam socket of vehicles using the 9005/9006 system—covering the vast majority of Japanese brands (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, etc.) and many American models from the 1990s‑2010s.

IV. Important Installation & Handling Notes

• Correct Pairing Verification: Always confirm the vehicle’s high‑beam bulb is a 9005. Mixing systems (e.g., 9006 low beam with 9011 high beam) will compromise optical performance.

• Orientation is Critical: The P22d base must be aligned with the socket’s keyway. Forcing it can break the plastic tabs or damage the socket.

• No‑Touch Discipline: Handle only by the plastic base. Skin oils on the glass will create hot spots and lead to premature failure.

• Legal Compliance: Use only SAE/DOT‑certified bulbs for on‑road vehicles to ensure beam pattern and intensity meet safety standards.