How to decode a 1989 Suzuki Sidekick VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1989 Suzuki Sidekick VIN
World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and specific details about where and for what purpose the vehicle was made. For the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick, the WMIs “JS3” and “JS4” designate vehicles made by Suzuki Motor of America, Inc., located in Brea, California, United States. Specifically, “JS3” identifies a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), symbolizing versatility in function, while “JS4” refers to a Truck, indicating a vehicle built for utility and performance. These codes not only pinpoint the origin of the vehicle but also provide insight into the type of transportation it was engineered to be, reflecting its design and intent in the automotive landscape. Through these identifiers, the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick’s manufacturing attributes are concisely captured, offering essential information at a glance.
List of WMI Codes for a 1989 Suzuki Sidekick
WMI: JS3
- Model Years Covered: 1989, 1991-1993, 1995
- Example VIN: JS3TA01C5K4120599
- Manufacturer Name: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Brea
- State or Province: California
- Country: United States WMI: JS4
- Model Years Covered: 1989, 1991
- Example VIN: JS4TA01V2K4101053
- Manufacturer Name: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Brea
- State or Province: California
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1989 Suzuki Sidekick 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 1989 Suzuki Sidekick:
| Known VDS for a 1989 Suzuki Sidekick | |
|---|---|
| TA01C | TA01V |
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 1989 Suzuki Sidekick 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 1989 Suzuki Sidekick VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| K | 1989 |
11th Character in the 1989 Suzuki Sidekick VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1989 Suzuki Sidekick Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Iwata | Shizuoka | Japan | JS3TA01C5K4120599 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1989 Suzuki Sidekick
The final 6 characters in a 1989 Suzuki Sidekick’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Suzuki Sidekick’s VIN below:
How to find a 1989 Suzuki Sidekick’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1989 Suzuki Sidekick is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1989 Suzuki Sidekick; the VIN can usually be seen through the windshield on a small plate attached to the dashboard.
- Look at the door post (where the door latches when it is closed) on the driver’s side of your Suzuki Sidekick; it often has a sticker or plate with the VIN.
- Check under the hood; the VIN can sometimes be found on a metal plate or sticker mounted on the firewall of your 1989 Suzuki Sidekick.
- Explore the rear wheel well; try looking up directly above the tire for a sticker that might contain the VIN.
- Inspect the vehicle’s registration documents or insurance card/policy, as these will usually list the VIN for your Suzuki Sidekick.
- If the vehicle has its original engine, the VIN may also be stamped on the engine block.
What info can a 1989 Suzuki Sidekick VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as 1989, providing insight into the age and potential technology of the vehicle.
- Body Class: The VIN can describe the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), indicating its design and intended usage.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN can provide details on the engine, such as a displacement of 1.6 liters and 1600 cubic centimeters, with an engine configuration of 4 cylinders and fuel type as gasoline, detailing performance capabilities and fuel efficiency.
- Drive Type: The VIN can indicate that the vehicle features a 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 drive type, highlighting its off-road capability and potential handling characteristics.
- Destination Market: The VIN may reveal that the vehicle is tailored for the U.S. and Canada market, which can suggest specific compliance with safety and emission standards relevant to these regions.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN can provide information indicating that the vehicle was manufactured in Iwata, Japan, by its plant city, state Shizuoka, underscoring the geographical origin and potentially affecting the vehicle’s build quality and availability of replacement parts.
- Vehicle Weight Class: The VIN can reveal that the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating falls within Class 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg), providing information on the vehicle’s weight category which can influence its handling, fuel efficiency, and regulatory classification.
Don’t have your 1989 Suzuki Sidekick’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1989 Suzuki Sidekick
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Destination Market | U.S., Canada |
| Displacement (CC) | 1600 |
| Displacement (CI) | 97.63799055157 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.6 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| 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 |
| Model Year | 1989 |
| Other Engine Info | OHC |
| Plant City | Iwata |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Japan |
| Plant State | Shizuoka |
| Vehicle Descriptor | JS3TA01C*K4 |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample_VIN | JS3TA01C5K4120599 |
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