Free 1998 Acura TL VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Acura TL VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Acura TL VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designating the vehicle’s manufacturer, its division, and the type of vehicle it is. For the 1998 Acura TL, the WMI is “JH4,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. This specific WMI tells us that the car was produced in Tokyo, Musashi, Japan, and it designates the vehicle as a passenger car. WMIs are crucial for identifying and registering vehicles, ensuring that each car has a unique identifier that provides essential information about its origin, type, and manufacturer. The use of WMIs, as seen with the 1998 Acura TL, helps in maintaining standardized information across the global automotive industry.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Acura TL

WMI: JH4

• Model Years Covered: 1996-1998
• Example VIN: JH4UA2652WC001914
• Manufacturer Name: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Tokyo
• State or Province: Musashi
• Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Acura TL 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 1998 Acura TL:

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 1998 Acura TL 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 1998 Acura TL VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Acura TL VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Acura TL Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Acura TL

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Acura TL’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1998 Acura TL VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle is a Passenger Car, specifically a Sedan/Saloon type, with a 2.5 trim level and an engine model G25A4, signifying detailed specifications like engine type and model specifics. It may also suggest that the vehicle has 4 doors, offering insights into its design and passenger capacity.
• Engine Details: The vehicle’s engine, according to the VIN, is an In-Line configuration with 5 cylinders, has a displacement of 2.458 liters or 150 cubic inches, and delivers around 176 horsepower, showcasing the engine’s capacity and power output.
• Fuel Efficiency and Emissions: The VIN indicates that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, which can give potential buyers or owners insight into fuel consumption and emission standards.
• Safety Features: The VIN may indicate the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger located in the 1st row, along with manual seat belts, highlighting the vehicle’s basic safety configurations.
• Manufacturing Information: According to the VIN, the vehicle was manufactured in Sayama, Saitama, Japan, offering details on the origin of production which can imply quality and design standards.
• Transmission and Performance: The VIN suggests that the vehicle possesses an automatic transmission style with 4 speeds, indicating the vehicle’s operational efficiency and driver convenience features.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Acura TL