How to decode a 1998 Acura CL VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Acura CL VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a critical part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer of the vehicle. It consists of the first three characters of the VIN that provide specific information about the vehicle manufacturer, including the name, country of origin, and vehicle type. For instance, the WMI for the 1998 Acura CL indicates that it was manufactured by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. This luxury passenger car was crafted in the United States, specifically in Torrance, California. The WMI plays a vital role in vehicle identification, offering a quick way to determine important details about where and by whom a vehicle was made.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Acura CL

WMI: 19U

Model Years Covered: 1997-1999, 2001-2003
Example VIN: 19UYA3242WL009082
Manufacturer Name: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Torrance
State or Province: California
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Acura CL 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 Acura CL:

Known VDS for a 1998 Acura CL
YA324	YA225	YA314	YA325	YA315	YA224

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 Acura CL 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 Acura CL VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Acura CL VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Acura CL Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
L	East Liberty	Ohio	United States		19UYA3242WL009082

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Acura CL

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

Check your Acura CL’s VIN below:

How to find a 1998 Acura CL’s VIN?

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

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1998 Acura CL. Typically, the VIN is located near the bottom corner of the windshield where it meets the dash, and it’s visible from outside the vehicle.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door pillar (door jamb). There should be a compliance label or sticker on the Acura CL that has the VIN printed on it.
Review your vehicle’s service records or owner’s manual; the VIN for your Acura CL is usually printed on the title, registration, and insurance documents.
Check under the hood; there may be a VIN stamp or plate on the engine block or the firewall of your 1998 Acura CL.
Examine the trunk area; some vehicles, including older models like the Acura CL, might have the VIN under the spare tire or on the trunk’s lid hinge.

What info can a 1998 Acura CL 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 Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 1998 CL, this may indicate a Coupe with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and layout.
Engine Type and Performance: The VIN can disclose details about the engine, including the engine model (F23A1), configuration (In-Line), number of cylinders (4), and displacement in liters (2.26) and cubic inches (138). This information provides an overview of the vehicle’s performance capabilities, with an engine brake horsepower of 150hp.
Fuel Type and Transmission: Specifics about the fuel type (Gasoline) and transmission style (Automatic) with the number of speeds (4) can be identified from the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s operational dynamics.
Safety Equipment: The VIN may provide details on safety equipment, such as the locations of front airbags (1st Row for Driver and Passenger) and the type of seat belt installed (Manual), essential for assessing the vehicle’s safety standards.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The VIN can offer insight into the vehicle’s weight class, ranging from Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb to Class 1: 6,000 lb or less, indicating the vehicle’s capacity and size category.
Trim and Additional Features: Details like the vehicle’s trim level (2.3 and Base) and valve train design (Single Overhead) can be decoded from the VIN, providing a comprehensive overview of the vehicle’s features and specifications.

Don’t have your 1998 Acura CL’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Acura CL

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Coupe
Displacement (CC)	2998.832712
Displacement (CI)	183
Displacement (L)	2.998832712
Doors	2
Engine Brake (hp) From	200.00
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Model	J30A1
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Model	CL
Model Year	1998
Plant City	East Liberty
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Ohio
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Transmission Speeds	4
Transmission Style	Automatic
Trim	3.0
Trim2	Base
Valve Train Design	Single Overhead Cam (SOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	19UYA224*WL
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	19UYA2247WL001232