How to decode a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that is assigned to every vehicle manufacturer around the globe, serving as the initial component of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The WMI for the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport identifies Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. as the manufacturer, specifically indicating a multipurpose passenger vehicle produced between 1996 and 1998. This code, in this case, begins with “JS3”, which not only confirms Suzuki as the maker but also denotes the vehicle’s production within the United States, specifically in Brea, California. Through the WMI, one can discern essential details about a vehicle, such as the type, manufacturer location, and the specific brand, without needing to look into the full VIN.
List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport
WMI: JS3
- Model Years Covered: 1996-1998
- Example VIN: JS3TD21V2V4101467
- Manufacturer Name: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Brea
- State or Province: California
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport 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 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport:
| Known VDS for a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport | |
|---|---|
| TD21V | TE21V |
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 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport 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 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| V | 1997 |
11th Character in the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Iwata | Shizuoka | Japan | JS3TD21V2V4101467 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport
The final 6 characters in a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Suzuki Sidekick Sport’s VIN below:
How to find a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Suzuki Sidekick Sport near where the dashboard meets the windshield; the VIN can usually be seen from outside the vehicle.
- Examine the door post (where the door latches when it is closed) on the driver’s side of your 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport; it often has a sticker or plate with the VIN.
- Check under the hood of your Suzuki Sidekick Sport; the VIN might also be located on the front engine block or on a plate attached to the strut tower.
- Inspect the rear wheel well on the driver’s side; sometimes the VIN is stamped above the tire.
- Review your Suzuki Sidekick Sport’s vehicle registration documents or insurance card/policy, which should list the VIN alongside other important vehicle details.
What info can a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting the vehicle is from 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Details: Information from the VIN indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan, offering insights into its origin.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN provides details about the engine, revealing a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine which indicates the vehicle’s power and efficiency characteristics. The displacement values provided in cubic centimeters (1800.0 CC), cubic inches (109.84 CI), and liters (1.8L) offer a comprehensive understanding of the engine size.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, highlighting the energy source it was designed to operate on.
- Drive Type: It can be inferred from the VIN that the vehicle features a 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 drive type, suggesting enhanced off-road and all-weather capabilities.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN classifies the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors and a Hard Top trim. This classification provides clues to its design and functionality geared towards versatility and passenger accommodation.
- Destination Market: The VIN suggests that the vehicle is designed for the U.S. and Canada markets, implying compliance with specific standards and consumer expectations relevant to these regions.
Don’t have your 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Sport
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Destination Market | U.S., Canada |
| Displacement (CC) | 1800.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 109.84273937051 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.8 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg) |
| Model | Sidekick Sport |
| Model Year | 1997 |
| Other Engine Info | Valve#: 4 |
| Plant City | Iwata |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Japan |
| Plant State | Shizuoka |
| Trim | Hard Top |
| Vehicle Descriptor | JS3TE21V*V4 |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample_VIN | JS3TE21V9V4101284 |
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