How to Know What Engine My Car Has
You lot know your auto'south make, model and registration, simply what if you lot need more than specific details, like its engine type?
Knowing what sort of engine your machine has tin make it easier to find the parts you need to keep it running at its best. It'due south also interesting to see how much horsepower and torque its capable of, as private engines tin vary from the figures quoted by the manufacturer.
To find your motorcar'south engine type, you'll need its vehicle identification number (VIN). In this guide, nosotros tell you where to find the VIN on your car, what the number means, and how you can decode it to discover out more than about your vehicle.
- What is a VIN and What Tin can It Tell Yous Well-nigh Your Automobile?
- How to Detect Your Car's VIN
- How to Read and Decode a VIN
- When You Might Need the VIN Number
What is a VIN and What Can It Tell Yous About Your Car?
All cars registered in the UK have a unique vehicle identification number. This acts like a fingerprint, carrying specific details about the vehicle, and no two VINs are the same.
VIN numbers were introduced in 1983 and are used globally as a means of identifying a vehicle. The number is 17 digits long, fabricated upwardly of numbers and letters, and consists of three specific parts which give information most the car.
Here, nosotros look at what a VIN number can tell y'all about your auto.
- The first iii digits represent the world manufacturer identifier (WMI). This shows who the auto was built by, e.g. Volkswagen. WMI numbers are the same beyond the earth.
- The next six digits correspond the vehicle descriptor section (VDS). This gives a clarification of the model equally designated by the manufacturer, due east.g. Volkswagen Golf game.
- The terminal viii characters brand up the vehicle identifier section (VIS). This gives details about the individual vehicle, including the year it was congenital, where information technology was built, and info on unlike engine types and trim options.
Together, these iii universal identifier codes particular the blueprint of any vehicle, and can assist yous out specific data nearly your car – great if y'all need to find its engine type.
How to Find Your Car's VIN
On many cars, the VIN is located on the dashboard directly beneath the windscreen and can exist seen from outside the vehicle. The number is almost always on the forepart passenger'south side, at the point where the bottom of the windscreen meets the dash.
Not at that place? Bank check the commuter's side door pillar, the second almost common place to detect the VIN. Remember – you're looking for a 17-digit number, made up of numbers and letters, which is usually stamped on a small strip of metal.
If you struggle to observe the VIN, other places to look include the bulkhead under the bonnet or the chassis beneath the automobile. Failing that, yous may detect the VIN stamped in the owner's transmission or on a current or previous car insurance policy.
Nonetheless can't discover the number? Try searching for where to discover your automobile'southward VIN, as people ofttimes share this kind of info on motorcar forums. Or, you could always call the manufacturer and meet if they can shed whatsoever calorie-free on your search.
How to Decode a VIN
It's all well and good knowing what a VIN is and where to find it, but it's still just a random jumble of letters and numbers. To discover out what your VIN actually means and what it can reveal about your car, you'll demand to decode it.
Luckily, decoding a VIN is piece of cake and requires no specialist knowledge. All y'all need to do is make a note of all 17 digits of your machine'southward VIN, and head to any of VIN decoding services at present available online.
Most VIN decoding sites offer information about your motorcar for free, while others may charge actress for a detailed written report about your engine's spec and whether it'south ever been damaged or stolen. One of our favourite decoding services is Vin-Info, which offers technical specs as well as the option to buy a more detailed report about your car.
If you'd prefer to find a unlike service, remember to type 'VIN decoder UK' into a search engine. While VIN numbers are international, we retrieve it'south meliorate to use a UK-based service for the most authentic info most your automobile.
When You lot Might Need the VIN Number
Most drivers don't know their auto's VIN number, or fifty-fifty where to detect information technology, just it is actually a really useful tool to help yous discover out more about your motorcar – or one you're thinking of ownership.
Here, we look at when it might be handy to have the VIN number to hand:
- Finding engine parts – If you want to keep your automobile'southward engine in the very best status, the VIN number can assist you lot find parts that are congenital specifically for that blazon of engine. Using just the make, model and registration tin piece of work, but the VIN will ensure you lot get the part that offers the best compatibility and performance.
- Checking performance specs – From chapters to max torque, the VIN offers figures on your automobile'southward individual performance – great for those passionate almost knowing the ins and outs of their car.
- Ownership a used machine – Before you milkshake the dealer'southward hand, make a annotation of the car'due south VIN, get dwelling house, and check it. As nosotros mentioned, you lot can find a lot of data nigh a motorcar's history using the VIN, so you tin be sure the car you buy hasn't been damaged, stolen or had its engine replaced.
Caput to the Redex web log for more motoring guides and tips or have a expect at our main homepage to find out well-nigh our fuel additive products.
Source: https://www.holtsauto.com/redex/news/find-type-engine-car/