How to decode a 1996 Lexus LS VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Lexus LS VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique set of characters assigned to car manufacturers to identify the origin of their vehicles. Specifically, for a 1996 Lexus LS, the WMI “JT8” signifies that it was produced by Toyota Motor Corporation, located in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. These initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) provide essential information, revealing the vehicle’s manufacturer, the type of vehicle it is, and the country in which it was manufactured. The WMI is an essential aspect of automotive identification, allowing for the quick and accurate tracing of a vehicle’s manufacturing details. For the Lexus LS model from 1996, this WMI indicates it as a luxury passenger car crafted under the prestigious Lexus marque by Toyota in Japan.
List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Lexus LS
WMI: JT8
- Model Years Covered: 1990-2000
- Example VIN: JT8BH22F0T0036885
- Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Corporation
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Toyota City
- State or Province: Aichi Prefecture
- Country: Japan
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1996 Lexus LS 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 1996 Lexus LS:
| Known VDS for a 1996 Lexus LS |
|---|
| BH22F |
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 1996 Lexus LS 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 1996 Lexus LS VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| T | 1996 |
11th Character in the 1996 Lexus LS VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1996 Lexus LS Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Tahara | Aichi | Japan | Toyota Motor Corporation-Tahara Plant | JT8BH22F0T0036885 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Lexus LS
The final 6 characters in a 1996 Lexus LS’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Lexus LS’s VIN below:
How to find a 1996 Lexus LS’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1996 Lexus LS is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Lexus LS 1996. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a small plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
- Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Lexus LS 1996. The VIN may be found on a label or sticker where the door latches when it is closed.
- Look under the hood of your Lexus LS 1996; the VIN might be stamped on the engine block or affixed to the firewall of the vehicle.
- Examine the trunk area of your Lexus LS 1996. Sometimes the VIN is placed in the trunk under the spare tire or on the trunk’s lid or walls.
- On your Lexus LS 1996, check the frame around the front of the car. VINs are sometimes stamped onto the frame itself, often somewhere near the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
What info can a 1996 Lexus LS VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year being the year 1996, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Type: Details about the engine, including that it is a V-Shaped, 4.0 Liter (3969 CC or 242.2 CI) with an engine output ranging from 260 to 300 horsepower, are provided. The engine is manufactured by Toyota and carries the model 1UZ-FE.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, indicating its energy source.
- Safety Features: The vehicle is equipped with front airbags located at the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger), showcasing the safety features included.
- Drive Type and Body Class: The VIN specifies that the vehicle has a 4x2 Drive Type and is classified as a Sedan/Saloon, offering insights into its drivetrain and body style.
- Manufacturing Details: Production specifics such as the manufacturing plant location in Tahara, Aichi, Japan, by Toyota Motor Corporation - Tahara Plant, shed light on the vehicle’s origin.
- Series and Model Information: The vehicle is identified as the LS model, belonging to the UCF20L series, also known as the 400 series, providing insights into its market positioning and variant.
Don’t have your 1996 Lexus LS’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Lexus LS
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 3969 |
| Displacement (CI) | 242.2 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.0 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 260 |
| Engine Brake (hp) To | 300 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Toyota |
| Engine Model | 1UZ-FE |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Model | LS |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| Plant City | Tahara |
| Plant Company Name | Toyota Motor Corporation-Tahara plant |
| Plant Country | Japan |
| Plant State | Aichi |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | UCF20L |
| Series2 | 400 |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | JT8BH22F*T0 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | JT8BH22F0T0036885 |
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