Free Chevrolet Avalanche VIN Decoder

How to decode a Chevrolet Avalanche VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Chevrolet Avalanche VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) serves as a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing insights into where and by whom it was produced. The Chevrolet Avalanche, for example, has a WMI of 3GN, indicating it was manufactured by General Motors LLC, specifically in Warren, Michigan, United States. This identifier applies to models produced between 2002 and 2013, confirming the vehicle type as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV). By examining the WMI, one can verify key information such as the manufacturing location and company, enhancing the understanding of a vehicle’s origin and production context. This system offers a standardized method to decode and validate the authenticity and background of various vehicles, including the Chevrolet Avalanche.

List of WMI Codes for a Chevrolet Avalanche

WMI: 3GN

• Model Years Covered: 2002-2013
• Example VIN: 3GNGC23G12G172165
• 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 Chevrolet Avalanche 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 Chevrolet Avalanche:

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 Chevrolet Avalanche 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 Chevrolet Avalanche VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Chevrolet Avalanche VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Chevrolet Avalanche Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Chevrolet Avalanche

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

What info can a Chevrolet Avalanche VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2011, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, such as a Sport Utility Truck (SUT), and indicate the number of doors, allowing for detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure. For example, for a model like the Avalanche, it may indicate 4 doors.
• Engine Type: Details about the engine, such as it being a V-Shaped, 5.3L (5300cc) engine manufactured by GM with an engine model LC9 and having 8 cylinders, are encoded within the VIN, giving an understanding of the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
• Drive Type and Fuel Efficiency: The drive type, exemplified by 4WD (4-Wheel Drive), and the primary fuel type being Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV), are vital insights a VIN might provide, outlining both the vehicle’s adaptability and its environmental consideration.
• Safety Features: Information about safety mechanisms, including the existence of front airbags located in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, and additional restraint systems like roof side airbags extending to all seating rows, are typically deduced from the VIN, offering an understanding of the vehicle’s safety features.
• Manufacturing Information: The VIN can trace manufacturing details, pinpointing the plant city as Silao, the plant country as Mexico, and the plant company name as GMNA, which aids in authenticating the vehicle’s origin.
• Additional Features: Ancillary features such as the vehicle having a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and manual seat belt type, provide further insights into the vehicle’s designed safety and convenience attributes.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Chevrolet Avalanche