How to decode a 2008 Cadillac Escalade VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2008 Cadillac Escalade VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. For instance, the Cadillac Escalade, a popular luxury SUV, has WMIs such as “1GY” and “3GY” indicating it is manufactured by General Motors LLC in Warren, Michigan, United States. These codes are essential in decoding the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), providing specific information about the vehicle, including its year of manufacture, which ranges from 1999 to 2024 for “1GY” and from 2002 to 2013 for “3GY” Cadillacs. The WMIs also highlight the vehicle type, in this case, identifying the Escalade as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV). This system ensures that every vehicle can be uniquely identified worldwide, offering detailed insights into its origin and specifications.

List of WMI Codes for a 2008 Cadillac Escalade

WMI: 1GY

Model Years Covered: 1999-2000, 2002-2024
Example VIN: 1GYFC66808R183595
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States WMI: 3GY
Model Years Covered: 2002-2013
Example VIN: 3GYFK62808G110106
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2008 Cadillac Escalade 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 2008 Cadillac Escalade:

Known VDS for a 2008 Cadillac Escalade
FC668	FK468	FK638	FC638	FK438	FK668	EC638	FK628

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 2008 Cadillac Escalade 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 2008 Cadillac Escalade VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
8	2008

11th Character in the 2008 Cadillac Escalade VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2008 Cadillac Escalade Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
G	Silao		Mexico	Gmna	3GYFK62808G110106
R	Arlington	Texas	United States	Gmna	1GYFC66808R183595

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2008 Cadillac Escalade

The final 6 characters in a 2008 Cadillac Escalade’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2008 Cadillac Escalade’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2008 Cadillac Escalade is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Cadillac Escalade, just beneath the windshield, which is viewable from outside the vehicle.
Open the driver’s side door and check the door jamb for a sticker or plate where the door latches shut; the VIN should be displayed there.
Inspect the engine block for a VIN stamp, which is sometimes placed on a visible area on the engine.
Check your vehicle registration documents, insurance card, or title (often times the VIN is listed on these documents which pertain to your Cadillac Escalade).
Look in the rear wheel well directly above the tire; sometimes the VIN is placed there for additional verification.
Examine the underside of the spare tire cover in the trunk or cargo area; a VIN sticker might be located in this area as well.

What info can a 2008 Cadillac Escalade VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating it is from the 2008 model year, potentially providing insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: The VIN encodes basic details such as the make being GM and the model specified as Escalade, equipped with an L92 engine model.
Engine Details: The engine is characterized by a V-Shaped configuration, with a displacement of 6.2 liters, and may utilize Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) for fuel delivery.
Body Class and Size: The VIN denotes a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, falling under the body class and size segment, possibly indicating the vehicle’s design and structure.
Drive Type and Brake System: It describes the vehicle as having a 4x2 drive type and a hydraulic brake system, offering insights into the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Manufacturing Information: The VIN indicates that the vehicle was assembled in Arlington, Texas, United States by the plant company GMNA, potentially offering insights into the vehicle’s manufacturing origin.
Additional Features: It includes luxury trim, a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and specifies the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating as Class 2E, which ranges from 6,001 to 7,000 lb, highlighting additional features and potential capabilities of the vehicle.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2008 Cadillac Escalade

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	6200.0
Displacement (CI)	378.34721338734
Displacement (L)	6.2
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	GM
Engine Model	L92
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2F: 7,001 - 8,000 lb (3,175 - 3,629 kg)
Model	Escalade
Model Year	2008
Other Engine Info	HO, Active Fuel MGT
Plant City	Arlington
Plant Company Name	GMNA
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Texas
Series	1500 (1/2 ton)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	Luxury
Vehicle Descriptor	1GYFC638*8R
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1GYFC63868R211131