How to decode a 1997 Toyota Avalon VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Toyota Avalon VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used in vehicle identification numbers (VINs) to identify the manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. The 1997 Toyota Avalon, for example, has a WMI code of 4T1, indicating that it was produced by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc., in the United States. This specific code also classifies the vehicle as a passenger car. The Avalon, being assembled in Georgetown, Kentucky, underscores Toyota’s extensive manufacturing presence in the United States. WMI codes are crucial for tracking, registration, and recall purposes for vehicles worldwide.
List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Toyota Avalon
WMI: 4T1
- Model Years Covered: 1995-2022
- Example VIN: 4T1BF12B0VU135812
- Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Georgetown
- State or Province: Kentucky
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Toyota Avalon 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 1997 Toyota Avalon:
| Known VDS for a 1997 Toyota Avalon |
|---|
| BF12B |
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 1997 Toyota Avalon 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 1997 Toyota Avalon VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| V | 1997 |
11th Character in the 1997 Toyota Avalon VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1997 Toyota Avalon Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | Georgetown | Kentucky | United States | Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. | 4T1BF12B0VU135812 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Toyota Avalon
The final 6 characters in a 1997 Toyota Avalon’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Toyota Avalon’s VIN below:
How to find a 1997 Toyota Avalon’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1997 Toyota Avalon is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Toyota Avalon. The VIN is often viewable through the windshield on a small plate.
- Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your 1997 Toyota Avalon. You might find the VIN on a label or sticker where the door closes.
- Look at the frame of the vehicle on the driver’s side. The 1997 Toyota Avalon may have the VIN etched onto the metal frame inside the engine bay.
- Examine the front of the engine block. In some Toyota Avalon models, the VIN is stamped onto the engine itself.
- Check your vehicle’s insurance or ownership documents, which will list the VIN of your 1997 Toyota Avalon.
What info can a 1997 Toyota Avalon VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Type and Size: The Toyota Avalon model features a 3.0L V-Shaped engine with a displacement of 3000.0 CC, indicating its engine size and configuration.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN specifies the body class of sedan/saloon, coupled with a 4-door specification, illustrating the vehicle’s design and capacity.
- Engine Performance: The VIN indicates that the engine produces between 184 and 217 horsepower, reflecting the vehicle’s power range and performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: It seems that safety equipment such as front airbags for both the driver and passenger are indicated, showcasing the vehicle’s commitment to occupant protection.
- Fuel Type: The VIN reveals that the Toyota Avalon runs on gasoline, possibly providing essential information about fuel compatibility and efficiency.
- Manufacturing Location: VIN decoding can pinpoint manufacturing details, such as the Toyota Avalon being assembled in Georgetown, Kentucky, USA, by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.
Don’t have your 1997 Toyota Avalon’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Toyota Avalon
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Cooling Type | Water |
| Displacement (CC) | 3000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 183.07123228419 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 184 |
| Engine Brake (hp) To | 217 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Toyota |
| Engine Model | 1MZ-FE |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Engine Stroke Cycles | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Model | Avalon |
| Model Year | 1997 |
| Plant City | Georgetown |
| Plant Company Name | Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Kentucky |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | MCX10L |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 4T1BF12B*VU |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 4T1BF12B0VU135812 |
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