Vehicle, Engine and Transmission ID and VIN Location, Derivative and Usage: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Cadillac CTS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: View Of VIN Plate Location

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) System

Position	Definition	Character	Description
The vehicle identification number (VIN) plate (1) is the legal identifier of the vehicle. The VIN plate is located on the upper left corner of the instrument panel (I/P) and can be seen through the windshield from the outside of the vehicle.
1	Country of Origin	1	USA
2	Manufacturer	G	General Motors
3	Make	6	Cadillac
4 5	Carline/Series	6DM	CTS - Left Hand Drive Sedan - 4 Door
6	Body Style	5	Sedan - 4 Door, 4 Window, Notchback
7	Restraint System	7	Active Manual Belts W/Driver and Passenger Supplemental Inflatable Restraint Frontal and Side
8	Engine Type	T	RPO LP1, Gas, 6 Cylinder, 2.8L, SFI, V6, DOHC, Aluminum, 60 Degrees, GM
		V	RPO LLT, Gas, 6 Cylinder, 3.6L, SIDI, V6, Aluminum, 60 Degrees, GM
		7	RPO LY7, Gas, 6 Cylinder, 3.6L, SFI, V6, Aluminum, 60 Degrees, GM
9	Check Digit	Varies	Check Digit
10	Model Year	8	2008
11	Plant Location	O	Lansing, MI
12-17	Plant Sequence Number	-	100001

VIN Derivative Characters

Position	Definition	Character	Description
All engines and transmissions are stamped with a partial vehicle identification number (VIN). This table identifies the different VIN derivative characters and their respective positions.
1	Division	6	Cadillac
2	Model Year	8	2008
3	Plant Location	O	Lansing, MI
4-9	Plant Sequence Number	-	100001
A VIN derivative can be used to determine if a vehicle contains the original engine or transmission by matching the VIN derivative positions to their accompanying positions in the complete VIN.

VIN Positions

VIN Derivative Position	Equivalent VIN Position
1	3
2	10
3	11
4-9	12-17