How to decode a 1998 Saturn SL VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Saturn SL VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle globally. It reveals key details about the vehicle, including the year it was manufactured, the plant where it was made, and the type of vehicle it is. For instance, the WMI of a 1998 Saturn SL, produced by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan, starts with “1G8”. This code indicates that the vehicle is a passenger car made within the specified model years and aligns with the manufacturing standards set by the United States. The WMI is an integral part of understanding a vehicle’s origin and its manufacturer’s identity.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Saturn SL

WMI: 1G8

Model Years Covered: 1994-1996, 1998-2002
Example VIN: 1G8ZF5283WZ243385
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Saturn SL 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 1998 Saturn SL:

Known VDS for a 1998 Saturn SL
ZF528

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 1998 Saturn SL 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 1998 Saturn SL VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Saturn SL VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Saturn SL Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
Z	Spring Hill	Tennessee	United States	Spring Hill Manufacturing	1G8ZF5283WZ243385

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Saturn SL

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Saturn SL’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Saturn SL’s VIN below:

How to find a 1998 Saturn SL’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Saturn SL is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1998 Saturn SL. You can typically see the VIN by looking through the windshield from the outside.
Look at the front of the car frame, near the container that holds windshield washer fluid. The VIN may be stamped onto the frame of your Saturn SL.
Inspect the driver’s side door jamb. On many Saturn SL vehicles, the VIN can be found on a label or sticker where the door latches when closed.
Check for the VIN on the vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance papers, which should match the physical VIN on your Saturn SL.
Review the s Riverside door pillar for a label detailing the VIN and other vehicle information.
Examine service records as they often list the VIN; this can be especially helpful if the VIN plate is unreadable or has been removed from your Saturn SL.

What info can a 1998 Saturn SL VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting that the vehicle is likely from 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Details: It may provide comprehensive engine information, indicating that the engine is manufactured by Toyota, has an in-line configuration, and features 4 cylinders with a 1.8-liter displacement.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN decodes to indicate that the vehicle is classified as a Passenger Car with a Sedan/Saloon body class, offering insights into its general use and design.
Safety Features: Safety features, such as the location of airbags (1st Row - Driver and Passenger), can be discovered, suggesting the vehicle’s emphasis on occupant protection.
Fuel System: It can detail the type of fuel system, potentially mentioning the use of Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), which might enhance fuel efficiency and engine performance.
Manufacturing Information: The VIN reveals that the vehicle was assembled in Spring Hill, Tennessee, United States, by Spring Hill Manufacturing, providing some insight into its production origin.
Plant Company Name: The Vehicle Identification Number can unveil the name of the manufacturing plant, potentially showing a specific location, such as Spring Hill Manufacturing, for some detailed insight into the vehicle’s history and origin.

Don’t have your 1998 Saturn SL’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Saturn SL

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	1800.0
Displacement (CI)	109.84273937051
Displacement (L)	1.8
Doors	4
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Toyota
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Model	SL
Model Year	1998
Other Engine Info	Name Plate: Chevrolet, 8 coded twice in 8th position. Second Engine option: 1.9L, L4, MFI, Saturn, Name Plate: Saturn
Plant City	Spring Hill
Plant Company Name	Spring Hill Manufacturing
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Tennessee
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Vehicle Descriptor	1G8ZF528*WZ
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Windows	4
Sample_VIN	1G8ZF5283WZ243385