- Characters 1-3 of a 2018 Buick Encore VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a 2018 Buick Encore
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2018 Buick Encore VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a 2018 Buick Encore VIN.
- 10th Character in the 2018 Buick Encore VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the 2018 Buick Encore VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known 2018 Buick Encore Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2018 Buick Encore
- How to find a 2018 Buick Encore's VIN?
- What info can a 2018 Buick Encore VIN reveal?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2018 Buick Encore
How to decode a 2018 Buick Encore VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2018 Buick Encore VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. For a 2018 Buick Encore, the WMI, “KL4,” signifies that General Motors LLC, located in Warren, Michigan, United States, is the manufacturer. This identifier also reveals that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, which spans model years from 2013 to 2022. WMIs are crucial for tracing a vehicle’s origin, understanding its basic characteristics, and ensuring compliance with regional regulations. This system is a standardized method for automotive identification worldwide.
List of WMI Codes for a 2018 Buick Encore
WMI: KL4
- Model Years Covered: 2013-2022
- Example VIN: KL4CJGSB0JB506431
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2018 Buick Encore 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 2018 Buick Encore:
| Known VDS for a 2018 Buick Encore | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CJGSB | CJCSB | CJGSM | CJCSM | CJ2SM | CJFSM | CJFSB | CJHSM | CJASB | CJESB |
| CJHSB | CJBSM | CJ1SB | CJ2SB | CJDSM | CJ3SB | CJDSB | CJ1SM | CJBSB | |
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 2018 Buick Encore 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 2018 Buick Encore VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| J | 2018 |
11th Character in the 2018 Buick Encore VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2018 Buick Encore Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | Bupyeong | South Korea | Gm Korea | KL4CJGSB0JB506431 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2018 Buick Encore
The final 6 characters in a 2018 Buick Encore’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 2018 Buick Encore’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2018 Buick Encore is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2018 Buick Encore. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a small plate attached to the dashboard.
- Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Buick Encore. The VIN may be found on a label or sticker near where the door latches.
- Examine the engine block of your 2018 Buick Encore. The VIN is often stamped onto the engine itself.
- Review your vehicle’s registration documents or insurance papers; the VIN for your 2018 Buick Encore will be listed there.
- Inspect the rear wheel well above the tire on the driver’s side. In some vehicles, the VIN can also be found in this area.
- Check underneath the spare tire in the trunk area of your 2018 Buick Encore. Sometimes the VIN is placed there as well.
What info can a 2018 Buick Encore VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year being the year 2018, 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 Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, catering to families and adventurers alike.
- Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN. In this case, it may be an All-Wheel Drive (AWD), which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
- Engine: Information from the VIN indicates that the vehicle may have a 1.4L displacement, inline configuration, and turbocharging, reflecting on the vehicle’s potential performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The VIN data suggests that this vehicle runs on gasoline, providing crucial information for those concerned with fuel efficiency and emissions.
- Transmission: The VIN provides details about the automatic transmission featuring 6 speeds, ensuring a balance between drivability and comfort.
- Safety Features: The VIN indicates standard safety technology such as Forward Collision Alert, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Curtain Air Bags, Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN), and Blind Spot Warning (BSW), showcasing the vehicle’s commitment to advanced technology and safety.
Don’t have your 2018 Buick Encore’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2018 Buick Encore
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Safety System Note | Forward Collision Alert: Standard; Front and Rear Collision Alert: Standard |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Base Price ($) | 30600 |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | All Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 1400.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 85.43324173262 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.4 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | GMNA |
| Engine Model | LE2 - Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing, ALUM, GEN 1 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| 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) |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Model | Encore |
| Model Year | 2018 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Plant City | Bupyeong |
| Plant Company Name | GM Korea |
| Plant Country | South Korea |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | Premium |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Top Speed (MPH) | 120 |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 6 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Turbo | Yes |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | KL4CJHSM*JB |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 100.6 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 18 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 18 |
| Sample_VIN | KL4CJHSM0JB549271 |
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