Free 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code that identifies the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. These codes are the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides detailed information about the car, including its production specifics. For instance, the WMI for a 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass by General Motors LLC is “1G3”, indicating the vehicle was manufactured in the United States, specifically by General Motors in Michigan. This system not only helps in identifying the origin of the vehicle but also in tracking recalls, registrations, and the vehicle’s history. WMIs play a crucial role in the automotive industry, ensuring vehicles can be accurately traced back to their manufacturers.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass

WMI: 1G3

• Model Years Covered: 1997-1999
• Example VIN: 1G3NG52M1V6301265
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass 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 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass:

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 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass 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 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN may reveal the vehicles model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: A VIN might uncover the vehicle’s type, e.g., a Passenger Car, and its body class, providing details about the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Details: Information such as engine manufacturer (FLT), engine configuration (V-Shaped), and specifics like displacement in liters (3.1) and the number of cylinders (6) can be accessed.
• Fuel System: The VIN can provide insight into the vehicle’s fuel delivery or injection type, for instance, Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI).
• Safety Features: Through decoding a VIN, the presence of critical safety features, including the locations of front airbags (1st Row for Driver and Passenger), can be understood.
• Manufacturing Information: A VIN may provide details regarding the manufacturing, including the plant city (Oklahoma City), the country (United States), and sometimes the company name (NA-GM Corp).
• Unique Identifiers: Besides general specifications, a VIN uniquely identifies specific aspects about a vehicle, such as its seat belt type (Manual), the number of windows (4), and even intricate details like the engine’s nameplate associations.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass