How To Tell What Transmission I Have By VIN Number
According to the requirement of NHTSA, the standard VIN must be 17 digits long. Remember Q, I, and O letters mark as illegal characters.
Whether it’s about finding your transmission by VIN number Ford or any other car, the process is pretty straightforward to go with.
We can decode the transmission type and other information in the six steps. Let’s have a look at the steps -
Step 1: 1–3 Position, World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI):
The first 3 digits from 1 to 3 of the VIN identify the vehicle’s country of origin and manufacturer.
Each 3 (Three) Digit explains different unique meanings: The first code of WMI denotes the geographical area of the manufacturer, the second one identifies the country’s origin, and the last 3rd digit explains the manufacturer name.
Remember, the 3rd digit is used to mean the vehicle category from 1981 to 2010.
Step 2: 4–8 Position, Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS):
The VDS, from 4 to 8 digits of VIN, informs us about the vehicle’s components. The type of information about the vehicle encoded in the VIN might vary from manufacturer to manufacturer because each manufacturer has a unique system.
However, you can find some common information: body and drive type, engine, model, restrain type, and GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight).
Step 3: 9th Position, Check Digit:
The ninth (9th) Position from the 1st digit in the VIN, called a check digit or checksum, is used for verification of the validity of the VIN using a calculation. The check digit number might be any number from 0 to 9; additionally, X also can be used, which denotes ten (10) for calculation purposes.
Step 4: 10th Position, Model Year:
The model year is highly required for all vehicles in the US. The 10th position from the first digit is called Model Year; to designate the model year; there can be found about 30 characters approved for use except for some digits: I, Q, O, U, Z, and 0.
Step 5: 11th Position, The Plant:
The eleventh (11th) position, referred to as manufacturing plant, helps to know the specific location of the plant where the vehicle is manufactured.
Step 6: 12–17, The Serial Number:
It is the final part of the VIN, which consists of six digits and is addressed as the production sequence number.
The type of transmission can vary according to the various models and year to year. We have pointed out that Dodge Dakota has three types of transmission: semi-automatic, automatic, and manual.
Finding your car’s manual and automatic transmission identification is very easy. Suppose your vehicle uses a clutch for connecting and disconnecting between the transmission and the engine, controlled by a foot pedal. Surely, your vehicle has a manual transmission type. So you have to shift gears yourself in manual transmission.
On the other hand, if the vehicle can shift gears automatically without you or the driver and has no clutch pedal to connect and disconnect the transmission with the engine, it has an automatic transmission.
Ending Note
Now, I can assure that you no longer possess the question in your mind or further ask anyone how to tell what transmission I have by VIN number. Will you?
