Automotive lighting — power ratings Which bulb in a passenger car typically has the lowest wattage among the choices below?

Introduction / Context:

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Conventional 12 V system with incandescent/halogen lamps (not LED retrofits).
• Typical wattages: headlamp ~55 W per filament, stop lamp ~21 W, parking lamp ~5 W, small panel/warning lamps ~1–3 W.
• Ignition warning is a small indicator on the instrument cluster.

Concept / Approach:
Wattage = voltage * current. Lamps designed only to indicate status (e.g., charging/ignition warning) need minimal luminous flux, so their wattage is the lowest. Exterior signaling lamps require much higher luminous intensity for safety and compliance, so their wattages are greater.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Compare typical values: headlight ≫ stop light ≫ parking light ≫ cluster indicator.The ignition warning bulb usually uses about 1–3 W.Therefore, it has the least wattage among the options.

Verification / Alternative check:
Owner's manuals list bulb specifications. Cluster indicator bulbs or LEDs are always low power due to limited required brightness and enclosure design.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Headlight and fog lamp bulbs are high-power for forward illumination.

Stop lamps need high brightness for safety alerts.

Parking lamps are modest (around 5 W) but still greater than a tiny warning lamp.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing parking lamps with instrument cluster backlighting; mixing LED retrofits (which may use even less power) with OEM incandescent values.

Final Answer:
Ignition warning bulb