How to decode a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes assigned to vehicle manufacturers to distinguish their products. The first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), WMIs provide essential information about the vehicle, including the manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of assembly. For example, a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette has a WMI that reveals it was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This specific WMI indicates the vehicle is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), identifying its primary function and category. WMIs serve as an invaluable tool in tracking, registering, and recalling vehicles worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette

WMI: 1GH

Model Years Covered: 1990, 1994-2004
Example VIN: 1GHDU03E2XD299419
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 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette 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 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette:

Known VDS for a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
DU03E	DX03E

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 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette 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 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
X	1999

11th Character in the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
D	Doraville	Georgia	United States	Na-Mcd Platform (Apv)	1GHDU03E2XD299419

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette

The final 6 characters in a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Oldsmobile Silhouette’s VIN below:

How to find a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette. It’s typically visible through the windshield on a small plate at the corner.
Check the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Oldsmobile Silhouette. There should be a label or sticker when the door latches which may contain the VIN.
Examine the engine block of the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette, as the VIN can sometimes be stamped on the engine itself.
Examine the rear wheel well above the tire. In some vehicles, the VIN is located inside the wheel well.
Review your Oldsmobile Silhouette’s vehicle registration documents, title, and insurance policy papers, as the VIN will be printed on these documents.

What info can a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, which in this case may be 1999, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: It indicates the vehicle is designed for multiple purposes, specifically classified as a Minivan, providing insights into the vehicle’s diverse functionality and design structure.
Engine Specifications: The VIN provides details about the engine, such as a 3.4 L (3400 CC or 207.48 CI) V-shaped engine with 6 cylinders, possibly manufactured by FLT, and utilizing Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) for fuel delivery.
Drive Type and Braking System: The VIN can specify the drive type, with this vehicle possibly being characterized by a 4x2 drive type and equipped with a hydraulic brake system, offering insights into the vehicle’s handling characteristics and braking mechanism.
Manufacturing Details: It may reveal that the vehicle was manufactured in the city of Doraville, located in the state of Georgia, United States.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN specifies the vehicle falls within Class 1D, possibly indicating a gross vehicle weight rating ranging from 5,001 to 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg), which can provide insights into the vehicle’s weight capacity.
Safety and Design Features: Information such as the number of doors (4 in this case) and additional descriptors may suggest key safety and design features tailored to the vehicle model.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Minivan
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	3400.0
Displacement (CI)	207.48072992208
Displacement (L)	3.4
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	FLT
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Model	Silhouette
Model Year	1999
Plant City	Doraville
Plant Company Name	NA-MCD Platform (APV)
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Georgia
Series	All Purpose Vehicle (EXT)
Vehicle Descriptor	1GHDX03E*XD
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	1GHDX03E1XD279637