How to decode a 1998 Acura TL VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Acura TL VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designating the vehicle’s manufacturer, its division, and the type of vehicle it is. For the 1998 Acura TL, the WMI is “JH4,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. This specific WMI tells us that the car was produced in Tokyo, Musashi, Japan, and it designates the vehicle as a passenger car. WMIs are crucial for identifying and registering vehicles, ensuring that each car has a unique identifier that provides essential information about its origin, type, and manufacturer. The use of WMIs, as seen with the 1998 Acura TL, helps in maintaining standardized information across the global automotive industry.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Acura TL

WMI: JH4

Model Years Covered: 1996-1998
Example VIN: JH4UA2652WC001914
Manufacturer Name: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Tokyo
State or Province: Musashi
Country: Japan

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

Known VDS for a 1998 Acura TL
UA265	UA364

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 TL 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 TL VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

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

Known 1998 Acura TL Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
C	Sayama	Saitama	Japan		JH4UA2652WC001914

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Acura TL

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

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How to find a 1998 Acura TL’s VIN?

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

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1998 Acura TL. The VIN is usually visible through the windshield on a small plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Acura TL. There is often a sticker or label when you open the door, where the VIN will be displayed.
Check under the hood of your Acura TL; the VIN might also be stamped onto a plate attached to the engine bay.
Inspect the rear wheel well of your Acura TL. You might need to turn the steering wheel to the opposite side to get the best view, where a VIN sticker could be present.
If you can’t locate the VIN in any of these places, consult your Acura TL’s owner’s manual, as it can provide illustrations showing where VINs can be found on your specific vehicle model.

What info can a 1998 Acura TL VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle is a Passenger Car, specifically a Sedan/Saloon type, with a 2.5 trim level and an engine model G25A4, signifying detailed specifications like engine type and model specifics. It may also suggest that the vehicle has 4 doors, offering insights into its design and passenger capacity.
Engine Details: The vehicle’s engine, according to the VIN, is an In-Line configuration with 5 cylinders, has a displacement of 2.458 liters or 150 cubic inches, and delivers around 176 horsepower, showcasing the engine’s capacity and power output.
Fuel Efficiency and Emissions: The VIN indicates that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, which can give potential buyers or owners insight into fuel consumption and emission standards.
Safety Features: The VIN may indicate the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger located in the 1st row, along with manual seat belts, highlighting the vehicle’s basic safety configurations.
Manufacturing Information: According to the VIN, the vehicle was manufactured in Sayama, Saitama, Japan, offering details on the origin of production which can imply quality and design standards.
Transmission and Performance: The VIN suggests that the vehicle possesses an automatic transmission style with 4 speeds, indicating the vehicle’s operational efficiency and driver convenience features.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Acura TL

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	2458.059600
Displacement (CI)	150
Displacement (L)	2.458059600
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	176
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Model	G25A4
Engine Number of Cylinders	5
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	TL
Model Year	1998
Plant City	Sayama
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Saitama
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Transmission Speeds	4
Transmission Style	Automatic
Trim	2.5
Valve Train Design	Single Overhead Cam (SOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	JH4UA265*WC
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JH4UA2652WC001914