How to decode a 1996 Mercury Sable VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Mercury Sable VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, as part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This code reveals key information about the vehicle, such as where it was built and its vehicle type. In the case of the 1996 Mercury Sable, the WMI “1ME” denotes that the vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company, specifically indicating a passenger car made in the United States. The city of manufacture is Dearborn, located within the state of Michigan. This identifier is crucial for various purposes, including vehicle registration, identification, and ensuring the legality of the vehicle on roadways.
List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Mercury Sable
WMI: 1ME
- Model Years Covered: 1986, 1990-2005, 2008-2009
- Example VIN: 1MELM50U3TG622345
- Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Dearborn
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1996 Mercury Sable 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 Mercury Sable:
| Known VDS for a 1996 Mercury Sable | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| LM50U | LM53S | LM55U | LM58S |
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 Mercury Sable 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 Mercury Sable VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| T | 1996 |
11th Character in the 1996 Mercury Sable VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1996 Mercury Sable Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Atlanta | Georgia | United States | 1MELM50U0TA636528 | |
| G | Chicago | Illinois | United States | 1MELM50U3TG622345 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Mercury Sable
The final 6 characters in a 1996 Mercury Sable’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1996 Mercury Sable’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1996 Mercury Sable is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard of your 1996 Mercury Sable, typically on the driver’s side; the VIN can often be seen through the windshield.
- Examine the door frame or door post of the driver’s side door on your Mercury Sable, as manufacturers commonly place a VIN sticker in this area.
- Check under the hood where the engine is located. The VIN may also be found on a plate or sticker on the firewall of your 1996 Mercury Sable.
- Inspect the front of the car frame, near the container that holds windshield washer fluid, for a VIN plate on your Mercury Sable.
- View the rear wheel well on the driver’s side; sometimes, the VIN can be found above the tire.
- Look at the vehicle’s insurance card or policy, as well as the title or registration documents, which should list the VIN of your 1996 Mercury Sable.
What info can a 1996 Mercury Sable VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1996, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle. It may additionally indicate the location of the vehicle’s manufacture, in this instance, Chicago, Illinois, United States.
- Vehicle Specifications: From the VIN, one could learn detailed specifications about a vehicle, such as it being a Ford Sable LS model, featuring a V-Shaped engine with a 3.0 L (3000 cc) displacement, and having 4 doors.
- Engine Information: Key engine details, including the fact that it’s manufactured by Ford with six cylinders and produces up to 200 horsepower, are examples of what can often be discerned from a VIN. The engine utilizes an Electronic Fuel Injection system and a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design.
- Safety Features: The Vehicle Identification Number may reveal the car’s standard safety features, including front airbags available in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, and details about the restraint system, such as active seat belts with 3-point belts in all outboard positions.
- Fuel Type: The VIN offers insights into the type of fuel the vehicle uses, with this specific example operating on gasoline.
- Body Type and Size: It can indicate the body class of the vehicle, showing its design as a Sedan/Saloon, which characteristically comes with 4 doors.
Don’t have your 1996 Mercury Sable’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Mercury Sable
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Wagon |
| Displacement (CC) | 3000 |
| Displacement (CI) | 182 |
| Displacement (L) | 3 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) To | 200 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Sable |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| Other Engine Info | Fuel Injection Type: Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Other Restraint System Info | Seat Belts: Active Belts( all designated positions with 3-point belts in all outboard positions) |
| Plant City | Atlanta |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Georgia |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Trim | LS |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1MELM58S*TA |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1MELM58S0TA654322 |
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