How to decode a 1996 Saturn SW1 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Saturn SW1 VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the 1996 Saturn SW1, the WMI “1G8” denotes that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This WMI not only reveals where the car was made but also ties it to the GM brand, underlining its American manufacturing roots. WMIs are used globally to distinguish vehicle manufacturers, making it easier to identify characteristics such as the country of origin and the vehicle type. For the Saturn SW1, this means it’s recognized as a passenger car produced during a pivotal period for Saturn under the General Motors umbrella.
List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Saturn SW1
WMI: 1G8
- Model Years Covered: 1994-1998
- Example VIN: 1G8ZH8286TZ365097
- 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 1996 Saturn SW1 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 Saturn SW1:
| Known VDS for a 1996 Saturn SW1 |
|---|
| ZH828 |
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 Saturn SW1 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 Saturn SW1 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| T | 1996 |
11th Character in the 1996 Saturn SW1 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1996 Saturn SW1 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 | 1G8ZH8286TZ365097 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Saturn SW1
The final 6 characters in a 1996 Saturn SW1’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Saturn SW1’s VIN below:
How to find a 1996 Saturn SW1’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1996 Saturn SW1 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of the 1996 Saturn SW1. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield on the lower corner.
- Open the driver’s side door to inspect the door pillar (door jamb) for a sticker that typically has the VIN listed on your Saturn SW1. 3. Check under the hood of your 1996 Saturn SW1. The VIN might be found on a sticker or plate attached to the engine block or other components.
- Look at the rear wheel well directly above the tire. In some vehicles, the VIN may be stamped in this area, including the Saturn SW1.
- For the 1996 Saturn SW1, you might also find the VIN on the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or the title/ownership documents, which can all be used as a reference.
- Inspect the trunk area of the Saturn SW1. Sometimes the VIN is placed in the trunk under the spare tire or on the walls of the trunk area.
What info can a 1996 Saturn SW1 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year to be 1996, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: With information derived from the VIN, it seems that the vehicle is classified as a Wagon with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Manufacturer and Configuration: The engine details obtained from the VIN seem to specify Toyota as the manufacturer, model LV6, with a configuration of In-Line, 4 cylinders, which might affect the vehicle’s performance and power delivery.
- Displacement: The engine’s displacement appears to be detailed in various measurements: 1800.0 cubic centimeters (CC), 109.84273937051 cubic inches (CI), and 1.8 liters (L), offering insights into the size and power potential of the engine.
- Plant Information: The manufacturing information obtained from the VIN points to Spring Hill Manufacturing in Spring Hill, Tennessee, United States, potentially indicating the vehicle’s production location.
- Safety Features: According to the VIN details, the vehicle may be equipped with front airbags for the first row (Driver and Passenger) and manual seat belts, suggesting basic safety configurations.
- Fuel Injection Type: The use of Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) as highlighted in the VIN details might showcase the vehicle’s fuel delivery system technology.
Don’t have your 1996 Saturn SW1’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Saturn SW1
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Wagon |
| Displacement (CC) | 1800.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 109.84273937051 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.8 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | Toyota |
| Engine Model | LV6 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Model | SW1 |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| Other Engine Info | Name Plate: Chevrolet, 8 coded twice in 8th position. L24: 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 | 1G8ZH828*TZ |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G8ZH8286TZ365097 |
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