How to decode a 1998 Infiniti Q45 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Infiniti Q45 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique sequence of characters assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This identifier gives vital information about the vehicle, including the manufacturer’s name, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. Specifically, for a 1998 Infiniti Q45, the WMI “JNK” reveals that this luxury sedan was manufactured by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd., classified as a passenger car, and produced in Japan. The specific location of manufacture is Chuo-Ku, Tokyo. The WMI is a crucial component of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identifies each vehicle.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Infiniti Q45

WMI: JNK

Model Years Covered: 1990-1991, 1993-2006
Example VIN: JNKBY31A0WM403325
Manufacturer Name: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Chuo-Ku
State or Province: Tokyo
Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Infiniti Q45 VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

Engine type
Transmission
Model or trim
Body style
Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 1998 Infiniti Q45:

Known VDS for a 1998 Infiniti Q45
BY31A

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 1998 Infiniti Q45 VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 1998 Infiniti Q45 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Infiniti Q45 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Infiniti Q45 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
M	Tochigi	Kaminokawa	Japan	Tochigi Plant	JNKBY31A0WM403325

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Infiniti Q45

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Infiniti Q45’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 1998 Infiniti Q45’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Infiniti Q45 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1998 Infiniti Q45. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield.
Examine the door pillar on the driver’s side when you open the front door. The VIN might be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
Check under the hood of your Infiniti Q45 for a metal plate that may contain the VIN, which is often attached near the engine block or on the firewall.
Inspect the trunk area, either under the spare tire or on the trunk’s lid; sometimes, the VIN label is placed in one of these locations in the Infiniti Q45.
Look through your vehicle’s documentation, such as the title, registration, or insurance papers, which will have the VIN listed for your 1998 Infiniti Q45.

What info can a 1998 Infiniti Q45 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is a Sedan/Saloon, giving some insight into its body type and size, which can be useful for understanding the vehicle’s dimensions and style.
Engine Specifications: The engine displacement is detailed, showing a 4.1L engine size (4100.0 CC or 250.197 CI), indicating the vehicle’s power capacity and potential fuel consumption.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is Gasoline, which may be crucial for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: The presence of front and side airbags for the driver and passenger in the 1st row indicates the safety features installed, offering insights into the vehicle’s safety standards.
Manufacturing Information: The VIN reveals that the vehicle was manufactured in Tochigi, Japan, by the Tochigi Plant, providing geographic origin and potentially insights into the manufacturing quality.
Restraint and Seat Belt Type: The vehicle is equipped with manual seat belts and a 3-point manual belt system, providing details on the safety restraint systems available.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Infiniti Q45

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	4100.0
Displacement (CI)	250.19735078840
Displacement (L)	4.1
Doors	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Model	Q45
Model Year	1998
Other Restraint System Info	3-Point Manual Belts
Plant City	Tochigi
Plant Company Name	Tochigi plant
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Kaminokawa
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Vehicle Descriptor	JNKBY31A*WM
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JNKBY31A0WM403325