How to decode a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and certain characteristics about the vehicle itself, including the type and place of manufacture. For the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe, the WMI is “1GN,” indicating that General Motors LLC, located in Warren, Michigan, United States, is the manufacturer. This specific WMI highlights that the Tahoe is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), reflecting its design to serve various passenger and cargo transportation needs. The beginning of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) with “1GN” is a hallmark of General Motors’ commitment to producing vehicles of this type in the United States, ensuring the Tahoe adheres to specific standards and manufacturing qualities unique to General Motors and the American auto industry.

List of WMI Codes for a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe

WMI: 1GN

Model Years Covered: 1995-2024
Example VIN: 1GNFC13898J184795
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States WMI: 2CN
Model Years Covered: 2008
Example VIN: 2CNDC33F286074559
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 Chevrolet Tahoe 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 Chevrolet Tahoe:

Known VDS for a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
FC138	DC33F	EC030	FC13C	FC130	FK130	FC13J	FK135	FC135	FK030

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 Chevrolet Tahoe 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 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
8	2008

11th Character in the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
1	Wentzville	Missouri	United States	Gmna	1GNFK130481111220
6	Cami	Ontario	Canada	Na-Canada (Gm/Suzuki J.V.)	2CNDC33F286074559
J	Janesville	Wisconsin	United States	Gm Truck Group	1GNFC13898J184795
R	Arlington	Texas	United States	Gmna	1GNEC03008R174514

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe

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

Check your Chevrolet Tahoe’s VIN below:

How to find a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe’s VIN?

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

Review the dashboard on the driver side of your 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. This is typically viewable from outside the vehicle.
Open the driver’s door of your Chevrolet Tahoe and check the door jamb area, where you will often find a sticker with the VIN.
Examine the area around the frame of the vehicle by opening the driver’s door or the front passenger door. The VIN might be stamped onto the frame.
Look under the hood of your 2008 Tahoe; the VIN can sometimes be found on a plaque above the engine block.
If you have registration, insurance documents, or the owner’s manual for your Tahoe, the VIN will be printed on these documents.

What info can a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN reveal?

Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe, providing insights into the age and brand of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle is categorized as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, offering insights into its design and passenger capacity.
Engine Specifications: The Tahoe is equipped with a GM LMG 5.3-liter V-Shaped engine with 8 cylinders and uses Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI), highlighting its powertrain details.
Fuel Type: The vehicle is identified as a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV), which means it can operate on more than one type of fuel, including ethanol blends.
Drive Type and Brake System: The VIN specifies a 4x2 drive type and a hydraulic brake system, providing essential details about its drivetrain and braking capabilities.
Manufacturing Details: Production details encoded within the VIN, such as the manufacturing plant located in Arlington, Texas, United States by GMNA, offer traceability and origin information.
Safety and Performance Features: The presence of a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) can provide additional safety and performance characteristics.

Don’t have your 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	5300.0
Displacement (CI)	323.42584370208
Displacement (L)	5.3
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	GM
Engine Model	LMG
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2F: 7,001 - 8,000 lb (3,175 - 3,629 kg)
Model	Tahoe
Model Year	2008
Other Engine Info	active fuel mgt.
Plant City	Wentzville
Plant Company Name	GMNA
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Missouri
Series	1/2 Ton
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	LS
Valve Train Design	Overhead Valve (OHV)
Vehicle Descriptor	1GNFK130*81
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1GNFK130481111220