How to decode a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) indicating the manufacturer, vehicle type, and country of manufacture. For the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, the WMI ‘4A3’ signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors North America in the United States, specifically in Cypress, California. The WMI is crucial for identifying vehicle details, allowing for accurate data retrieval regarding the car’s manufacturer and place of assembly. It serves as an essential part of the automotive identification system, ensuring that each vehicle can be uniquely identified worldwide. This particular code denotes the Eclipse Spyder as a passenger car, tying it to a lineage of models produced over various years including 2012.
List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
WMI: 4A3
- Model Years Covered: 1997-1999, 2001-2005, 2007-2009, 2011-2012
- Example VIN: 4A37L5EF0CE001203
- Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors North America
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Cypress
- State or Province: California
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder 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 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder:
| Known VDS for a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder | ||
|---|---|---|
| 7L5EF | 7L3ET | 7L2EF |
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 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder 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 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| C | 2012 |
11th Character in the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Bloomington-Normal | Illinois | United States | 4A37L5EF0CE001203 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
The final 6 characters in a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, where it meets the windshield. The VIN can typically be seen by looking through the windshield.
- Look at the door post (where the door latches when it is closed) on the driver’s side of your 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. It is often found on a sticker or plate on the door pillar.
- Open the hood of your Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder and check the front of the engine block. This area often contains a stamped VIN on a metal plate.
- Examine the rear wheel well on the driver’s side of the vehicle. In some cases, the VIN might be found above the tire.
- Check beneath the spare tire in the trunk area of your Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. Sometimes, the VIN is located here on a label or etched into the body.
- Look at your Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder’s vehicle registration card, insurance card, or title/ownership document, where the VIN will be listed.
What info can a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2012, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Make and Model: The VIN decodes to show that the vehicle is a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, offering specific details about the make and model.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN provides insights into the engine specifications, such as it having a displacement of 2.4 liters, a Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) valve train design, and possibly MIVEC technology, indicating advanced engine features.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, giving a clear picture of the body style and size.
- Fuel Type: From the VIN, it’s discernible that the primary fuel type for the vehicle is Gasoline, which is crucial for understanding fuel compatibility and efficiency.
- Safety Features: Safety features are highlighted by the VIN, possibly illustrating that the vehicle comes with front and side airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row, as well as a direct tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), enhancing the vehicle’s safety profile.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN provides manufacturing details including that the vehicle was assembled in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, United States, offering insight into the geographic origin of the vehicle.
Don’t have your 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Convertible/Cabriolet |
| Displacement (CC) | 3800.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 231.89022755998 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.8 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Eclipse Spyder |
| Model Year | 2012 |
| Other Engine Info | MIVEC |
| Plant City | Bloomington-Normal |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Illinois |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | MEDIUM |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Valve Train Design | Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 4A37L3ET*CE |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 4A37L3ET3CE003876 |
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