Free 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-alphabet code allocated to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This code, which forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), reveals vital information about the vehicle, including its manufacturer, vehicle type, and country of production. For instance, the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe, a popular Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), is identified by the WMI codes “1GN” and “3GN.” These specific WMIs indicate that the vehicles are produced by General Motors LLC, classified as MPVs, and manufactured in Warren, Michigan, United States. These identifiers are crucial for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe

WMI: 1GN

• Model Years Covered: 1995-2024
• Example VIN: 1GNEC13R1WJ332181
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 3GN

• Model Years Covered: 1995-1999
• Example VIN: 3GNEK18R0WG103200
• 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 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe 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 Chevrolet Tahoe:

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 Chevrolet Tahoe 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 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe

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

What info can a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Size: The VIN can specify the body class, indicating a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with a mention of the number of doors, such as 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and size.
• Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, including its configuration (V-Shaped), displacement in liters (5.7 L), and number of cylinders (8), can be discerned, providing insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Drive Type: The type of drive system, such as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, is typically encoded within the VIN, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
• Fuel System: Information about the fuel system, like the Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) type, gives insights into the efficiency and performance of the engine, potentially affecting fuel economy and maintenance needs.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN reveals manufacturing specifics, such as the plant city (Janesville), plant country (United States), and the company name (GM Truck Group), offering insights into the vehicle’s production and origin.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It can indicate the vehicle’s weight class, for example, Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb, which affects usage, registration, and regulatory compliance, providing information about the vehicle’s load-carrying capacity.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe

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