Free 1997 Saturn SL2 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Saturn SL2 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Saturn SL2 VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code that identifies the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. In the case of the 1997 Saturn SL2, the WMI is “1G8,” indicating that this vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in Warren, Michigan, United States. WMIs are part of the larger Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system, which provides detailed information about a vehicle, including its manufacturing year and specific attributes. The WMI is the first part of the VIN, signifying the vehicle’s manufacturer and therefore playing a crucial role in vehicle identification and history checks. For the 1997 Saturn SL2, “1G8” denotes its origins with General Motors as a passenger car produced in the US.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Saturn SL2

WMI: 1G8

• Model Years Covered: 1992-2002
• Example VIN: 1G8ZJ5270VZ409222
• 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 Saturn SL2 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 Saturn SL2:

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 Saturn SL2 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 Saturn SL2 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Saturn SL2 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Saturn SL2 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Saturn SL2

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Saturn SL2’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1997 Saturn SL2 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN can specify the vehicle as a Passenger Car with a Sedan/Saloon body class, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and potential space.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN may reveal that the vehicle is equipped with a 1.9 L (1900.0 CC or 115.945 CI) In-Line engine configured by SAT, complemented by a 4-cylinder setup and Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), highlighting its performance capabilities and fuel delivery system.
• Safety Features: Key safety features such as Front Air Bag locations for the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) are specified, underlining the vehicle’s focus on occupant safety.
• Plant Details: The manufacturing details include the Plant City of Spring Hill, Plant State of Tennessee, and the United States as the Plant Country, establishing where the vehicle was assembled and by whom (Spring Hill Manufacturing), which might indicate quality and build characteristics.
• Vehicle Identification: Specific vehicle identifiers like a unique VIN (1G8ZJ5270VZ409222) and a Vehicle Descriptor segment (1G8ZJ527*VZ) are provided, which can be used for detailed histories or recalls specific to the model.
• Additional Vehicle Features: Additional details such as the Manual Seat Belt Type, the presence of 4 doors, and the number of windows (4), paint a fuller picture of the vehicle’s design, safety, and comfort features.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Saturn SL2

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