Free 1998 Saturn SW2 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Saturn SW2 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Saturn SW2 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that signifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, encapsulating details about where it was built and its vehicle type. The WMI for a 1998 Saturn SW2, for example, starts with “1G8”, indicating that it was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, more specifically in Warren, Michigan. This code forms the first part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is vital for identifying specific vehicles for registration, insurance, and tracking purposes. The “1G8” WMI not only ties this car to General Motors but also classifies it as a passenger car, providing a swift way to understand essential vehicle attributes from a global standpoint. This compact coding system is a standardized approach to vehicle identification, supporting both industry and consumer needs.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Saturn SW2

WMI: 1G8

• Model Years Covered: 1993-2001
• Example VIN: 1G8ZJ8274WZ186847
• 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 1998 Saturn SW2 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 Saturn SW2:

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 Saturn SW2 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 Saturn SW2 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Saturn SW2 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Saturn SW2 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Saturn SW2

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Saturn SW2’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1998 Saturn SW2 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN may indicate the body class as a Wagon with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Specifics: The VIN typically encodes the type of engine, including its configuration, manufacturer, displacement, and number of cylinders. For instance, it may indicate an In-Line engine by SAT with a 1.9-liter displacement and 4 cylinders.
• Fuel System: The VIN can detail the vehicle’s fuel delivery or injection type, possibly indicating Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) for this vehicle.
• Safety Features: Information about safety features, including the locations of airbags, can be deduced. It seems that in this case, front airbags are located in the 1st row for both driver and passenger.
• Manufacturing Information: The VIN often includes the manufacturing plant’s location, company name, and country, providing insights into where the vehicle was assembled. For example, it may reveal that this vehicle was assembled in Spring Hill, Tennessee, United States, by Spring Hill Manufacturing.
• Seat Belt Type: Information about the vehicle’s seat belt type is also available, indicating there’s a chance that this vehicle uses a manual seat belt system.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Saturn SW2