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Where to Spot That VIN on Your RAM
Location of the VIN number
A unique code called the vehicle identification number (VIN) is used to identify a specific car. It can be found in various places, including:
- On the driver's side dashboard, towards the bottom of the windshield. It should be visible from the outside through the windshield.
- On the engine block: The engine block, usually located near the front of the engine, may have the VIN stamped on it.
- On the frame or chassis: The vehicle's frame or chassis may bear the VIN imprint.
- On the transmission: The vehicle's transmission may also display the VIN.
- The VIN will be included in any vehicle history report for the car if one is available. This report goes into detail about the ownership, maintenance, and accidents involving the vehicle.
- In vehicle-related material, such as the owner's manual, the VIN is often listed.
- In other documents, such as the title, registration, and insurance paperwork: These documents may be kept at home, in the glove box, or in the trunk.
Chart option of VIN number
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), also known as WMI, is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. It usually represents the first three characters of the VIN and helps identify the country of origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type. For Ram vehicles, the WMI code is "1C" as the first characters of the VIN indicate that the vehicle was manufactured by Chrysler in the United States.
The Vehicle Description Section (VDS) is a section of the VIN that provides specific information about the vehicle model, body design, propulsion system, and transmission. It typically consists of six to seven characters, which can be used to identify the vehicle's original configuration and check for any alterations.
The Vehicle Identification Section (VIS) is another part of the VIN that provides specific information about the vehicle, such as the model, body design, propulsion system, and transmission. The VIS typically consists of six to eight characters, which can be used to identify the vehicle's features, place of assembly, production sequence, and model year.
What you can know from VIN decoder tool
A VIN decoder tool can provide various information about a vehicle, such as:
- The make, model, and year of the vehicle
- The engine type and size
- The transmission type
- The trim level, options, and packages
- The vehicle body style and number of doors
- The location of vehicle manufacturing
- The safety equipment and features
- The production date and sequence number
- The color and interior trim of the vehicle
- The fuel efficiency and emissions rating
- The recall and service bulletins
- The manufacturer's warranty information
- The registration and title information
Example of free VIN decoding
The VIN number "3D7UT2HL4BG560451" belongs to a 2011 Ram 2500 (Laramie Longhorn Edition) Pickup truck.
- The 1st character (3) indicates the country of origin, in this case, it is Mexico
- The 2nd character (D) indicates the manufacturer, in this case, it is Chrysler
- The 3rd character (7) identifies the vehicle type or manufacturing division, in this case, it is Ram
- The 4th-8th characters (UT2HL) identify the model, in this case, it is Ram 2500
- The 9th character (4) is a check digit used to ensure the accuracy of the VIN
- The 10th character (B) identifies the model year, in this case, it is 2011
- The 11th character (G) identifies the manufacturer's plant code, in this case, it is Saltillo, Mexico
- The 12th-17th characters (560451) identify the production number, used to identify the specific vehicle within the production run
Using this breakdown of the VIN, we can determine that this is a 2011 Ram 2500 (Laramie Longhorn Edition) Pickup truck with Displacement CC: 6700.0. It was manufactured in Saltillo, Mexico by Chrysler de Mexico Toluca.
What you can know from VIN history
Alternatively referred to as a VHR, a vehicle history report can provide supplementary information about a vehicle's past, such as:
- Accounts of damage, repairs, and accidents
- Logs of services and maintenance
- Flaws, safety alerts, and recalls
- Mileage readings and history of rollbacks
- Fire or flood damage; salvage or scrap status
- Lemon history
- Records of total loss
- Test results for emissions
- Data of the title and registration
- License plate numbers
- Insurance claims and reports
- Rollback histories and odometer readings
Frequently Asked Questions
This could occur for a number of reasons, including:
- The VIN may have been purposely removed by the owner or someone attempting to conceal the identification of the car
- The plate may have been damaged or covered up, such as by painting over it, or the VIN may have been lost
The following steps can be taken if you discover that the VIN of a vehicle is missing:
- Reach out to the vehicle's manufacturer. They could provide guidance on how to retrieve the VIN or have records of it.
- Contact the dealership where the vehicle was bought, if known. They may have records of the VIN or be able to assist in obtaining it.