How to decode a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a sequence of three characters at the beginning of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick, the WMI is “2S3”, indicating that Suzuki Motor of America, Inc., based in Brea, California, is the manufacturer. This particular WMI also specifies that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), highlighting its design for various uses. Such identification is crucial for regulatory compliance, parts identification, and vehicle history reports. The WMI forms an integral part of the VIN, helping both authorities and consumers trace a vehicle’s origins and specifications.
List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick
WMI: 2S3
- Model Years Covered: 1990, 1992-1998
- Example VIN: 2S3TD03V1V6404823
- 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 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:
| Known VDS for a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick | |
|---|---|
| TD03V | TA02C |
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 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 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| V | 1997 |
11th Character in the 1997 Suzuki Sidekick VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1997 Suzuki Sidekick Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Ingersoll | Ontario | Canada | Cami | 2S3TD03V1V6404823 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick
The final 6 characters in a 1997 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 1997 Suzuki Sidekick’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1997 Suzuki Sidekick is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Review the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Suzuki Sidekick, where the VIN can typically be seen from outside the vehicle through the windshield.
- Investigate the driver-side door jamb on your 1997 Suzuki Sidekick, where a sticker often displays the VIN where the door latches.
- Look under the hood at the front of the engine block; this location sometimes has the VIN engraved on your Suzuki.
- Examine the rear wheel well above the tire on the driver’s side, as the VIN might be located there on some Suzuki Sidekick models.
- If available, check inside the driver’s side door post; the VIN could be positioned on a label or a plate in this area for the Suzuki Sidekick.
- Don’t forget to inspect the vehicle’s insurance and registration documents, which should list the VIN for your Suzuki Sidekick.
What info can a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick VIN reveal?
- Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year 1997 for a Sidekick, possibly providing insights into the vehicle’s age and manufacturer.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN can specify the body class, indicating that the vehicle is classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, offering clues about its size and capabilities for passenger and cargo space.
- Engine and Performance: The data reveals that the Sidekick has a 1.6 Liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a displacement of 1600 CC, offering an insight into the vehicle’s performance characteristics and fuel efficiency.
- Drive Type: The VIN decodes to show that the vehicle is equipped with 4-Wheel Drive (4WD), suggesting enhanced off-road capability and traction in various driving conditions.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It falls within Class 1B, ranging from 3,001 to 4,000 lbs (1,360 to 1,814 kg), indicating the vehicle’s maximum safe operating weight including the vehicle itself, fuel, passengers, and cargo.
- Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was assembled in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada, by the plant company CAMI, providing information about its geographic origin and potentially influencing factors related to build quality and availability of parts.
- Trim and Customization: The trim level is specified as “Hard Top,” suggesting specific features and stylings that could impact the vehicle’s aesthetic appeal and possibly its value.
Don’t have your 1997 Suzuki Sidekick’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Destination Market | U.S., Canada |
| Displacement (CC) | 1600.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 97.63799055157 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.6 |
| Doors | 4 |
| 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 | 1997 |
| Other Engine Info | Valve #: 4 |
| Plant City | Ingersoll |
| Plant Company Name | CAMI |
| Plant Country | Canada |
| Plant State | Ontario |
| Trim | Hard Top |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 2S3TD03V*V6 |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample_VIN | 2S3TD03V1V6404823 |
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