- Characters 1-3 of a Honda Element VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Honda Element
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Honda Element VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Honda Element VIN.
- 10th Character in the Honda Element VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Honda Element VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Honda Element Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Honda Element
- How to find a Honda Element's VIN?
- What info can a Honda Element VIN reveal?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Honda Element
How to decode a Honda Element VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Honda Element VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter or digit sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. The WMI 5J6 is designated for vehicles made by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., specifically for their Honda Element model, a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), during the years 2003 to 2011. This code is an integral part of the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that gives vital information about the vehicle, including its manufacturing location, which in the case of 5J6 is Torrance, California, USA. WMIs are universally recognized, allowing for the identification of the vehicle’s manufacturer without ambiguity. This system is supervised by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ensuring global consistency and reliability of vehicle identification.
List of WMI Codes for a Honda Element
WMI: 5J6
- Model Years Covered: 2003-2011
- Example VIN: 5J6YH18503L000580
- Manufacturer Name: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Torrance
- State or Province: California
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Honda Element 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 Honda Element:
Known VDS for a Honda Element | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
YH185 | YH276 | YH172 | YH275 | YH175 | YH182 | YH285 | YH286 | YH272 | YH282 |
YH176 | YH186 | YH283 | YH273 | YH173 | YH183 | YH177 | YH277 | YH287 | YH187 |
YH179 | YH189 | YH1H3 | YH2H7 | YH1H7 | YH1H9 | YH2G7 | YH2H3 |
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 Honda Element 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 Honda Element VIN — Year Code
Year Code | Year |
---|---|
B | 2011 Honda Element |
A | 2010 Honda Element |
9 | 2009 Honda Element |
8 | 2008 Honda Element |
7 | 2007 Honda Element |
6 | 2006 Honda Element |
5 | 2005 Honda Element |
4 | 2004 Honda Element |
3 | 2003 Honda Element |
11th Character in the Honda Element VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Honda Element Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
C | Sayama | Saitama | Japan | 5J6YH18563C005766 | |
L | East Liberty | Ohio | United States | 5J6YH18503L000580 | |
S | Suzuka | Mie | Japan | 5J6YH2H72ASZ02609 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Honda Element
The final 6 characters in a Honda Element’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a Honda Element’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Honda Element is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Honda Element. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield on a small metal plate.
- Look inside the driver’s side door jamb. The Honda Element often has the VIN on a label or sticker where the door latches shut.
- Examine the engine block. The VIN might also be stamped on the engine of your Honda Element, providing another method for identification.
- Review your vehicle’s insurance card or policy, as the VIN for your Honda Element will be listed there.
- Check your vehicle title and registration documents. The VIN for the Honda Element is typically detailed on these legal documents.
What info can a Honda Element VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can indicate a wide range of model years, possibly including vehicles as recent as 2010, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class: Descriptions such as Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) can be identified, possibly offering insights into the vehicle’s intended use and design.
- Engine Specifications: Specific details like a 2.359 liter In-Line engine with a horsepower of 166 and an engine model K24A8 demonstrate the depth of mechanical information available, which might hint at the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: The presence of front and curtain airbags in both the 1st and 2nd rows, alongside other restraint systems like rear side curtain airbags, might underscore the safety equipment that can be discerned, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s safety standards.
- Fuel Type: There’s a chance that the vehicle uses Gasoline as its primary fuel type, aiding in understanding its environmental impact and fuel consumption patterns.
- Manufacturing Details: Information such as the manufacturing city being East Liberty, and the state Ohio, in the United States, provides contextual data on the origin of the vehicle, which can influence perceptions of build quality and availability of parts.
- Drive Type and Transmission: Details like a 4x2 drive type and a 5-speed automatic transmission can describe the drivetrain and handling characteristics, possibly supporting finer vehicle identification and user preference alignment.
Don’t have your Honda Element’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Honda Element
Vehicle Spec | Value |
---|---|
Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
Displacement (CC) | 2359.737216 |
Displacement (CI) | 144 |
Displacement (L) | 2.359737216 |
Doors | 5 |
Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
Engine Brake (hp) From | 166 |
Engine Configuration | In-Line |
Engine Model | K24A8 |
Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) |
Model | Element |
Model Year | 2010 |
Other Restraint System Info | Rear Side Curtain Air bag (Rr outer positions). |
Plant City | East Liberty |
Plant Company Name | |
Plant Country | United States |
Plant State | Ohio |
Seat Belt Type | Manual |
Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
Transmission Speeds | 5 |
Transmission Style | Manual/Standard |
Trim | EX |
Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
Vehicle Descriptor | 5J6YH2G7*AL |
Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
Sample_VIN | 5J6YH2G74AL000068 |
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