Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Repair and Diagnosis: Application and ID




Identification Codes


Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Tag Locator





The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-digit combination of letters and numbers. The VIN is stamped on a metal tab riveted on the instrument panel, top upper left of the dash. The VIN is also found on the Vehicle Certification (VC) label.

If the VIN plate requires replacement, authorized dealers must contact their respective regional office.











World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)





The first 3 VIN positions are the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI).

- 1FT - Ford Motor Company, USA, truck (completed vehicle)
- 5LT - Lincoln, USA, truck (Mexico only)

Brake Type and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)





The fourth VIN position is the vehicle brake type and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) code, all vehicles use hydraulic brakes. This code may also identify the vehicle safety restraint system.

- E - 6,001-7,000 pound GVWR, active safety belts (all positions), driver and front passenger air bags, side inflatable restraint (first and second row)
- F - 7,001-8,000 pound GVWR, active safety belt (all positions), driver and front passenger air bags, side inflatable restraint (first and second row)
- M - 6,001-7,000 pound GVWR, active safety belts (all positions), driver and front passenger air bags, side inflatable restraint (first row)
- N - 7,001-8,000 pound GVWR, active safety belts (all positions), driver and front passenger air bags, side inflatable restraint (first row)
- P - 8,001-8,500 pound GVWR, active safety belts (all positions), driver and front passenger air bags, side inflatable restraint (first row)
- V - 8,001-8,500 pound GVWR, active safety belts (all positions), driver and front passenger air bags, side inflatable restraint (first and second row)

Line and Body Type





VIN positions 5 through 7 indicate the vehicle line and body type.

- F1C - Ford F-150, Rear Wheel Drive (RWD), regular cab, 5.5 ft, 6.5 ft or 8 ft styleside
- F1E - Ford F-150, Four-Wheel Drive (4WD), regular cab, 5.5 ft, 6.5 ft or 8 ft styleside
- J1G - Lincoln Mark LT, RWD, Crew Cab, styleside (Mexico only)
- J1J - Lincoln Mark LT, 4WD, Crew Cab, styleside (Mexico only)
- W1C - Ford F-150, RWD, Crew Cab, 5.5 ft or 6.5 ft styleside
- W1E - Ford F-150, 4WD, Crew Cab, 5.5 ft or 6.5 ft styleside
- X1C - Ford F-150, RWD, SuperCab, 5.5 ft, 6.5 ft or 8 ft styleside
- X1E - Ford F-150, 4WD, SuperCab, 5.5 ft, 6.5 ft or 8 ft styleside

Engine Type





The eighth VIN position is the engine type (displacement and number of cylinders).

- 8 - 4.6L, 3-valve, V8, electronic fuel injection
- V - 5.4L, 3-valve, SOHC, V8, electronic fuel injection, Flex-fuel
- W - 4.6L, SOHC, V8, electronic fuel injection
- - 6.2L, 2-valve, V8, electronic fuel injection

Additional engine information can be obtained from the engine tag. Refer to Engine.

Check Digit





The ninth VIN position is a government-assigned, computer-generated check digit.

Model Year





The tenth VIN position is the model year code.

- A - 2010

Assembly Plant





The eleventh VIN position is the assembly plant code.

- F - Dearborn - Dearborn, Michigan, USA
- K - Kansas City - Claycomo, Missouri, USA

Build Sequence





VIN positions 12 through 17 are an alphanumeric code for the vehicle build sequence. This is also the vehicle serial and warranty number. The serial number can also be found on the engine block, transmission and frame.

- A00001-F99999


Vehicle Certification (VC) Codes

Vehicle Certification (VC) Label Locator













The Vehicle Certification (VC) label contains information on the manufacturer name, the month and year of manufacture, the certification statement and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This label also includes Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) information.

If a vehicle requires replacement of the VC label and is 4 years old or less, an authorized dealer must submit the VIN to their respective regional office. The regional office will submit a web form to the assembly plant for the replacement label. Once the label has been printed, a representative from the regional office will deliver the label to the dealer and witness installation on the vehicle. If a vehicle is more than 4 years old and requires a replacement label, the dealer must submit a request to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Exterior Paint





Exterior paint codes may be listed as a 2-part code. The first set of characters identify the primary body color. The second set of characters (if applicable) identify the vehicle accent or 2-tone body color. All colors are base coat/clear coat.

Primary Exterior Color Codes
- Blank - No paint
- DX - Dark Blue Pearl
- E4 - Vermilion
- G3 - Pueblo Gold
- GQ - Amber Gold
- SZ - Blue Flame
- U6 - Red Candy Tint
- UG - White Platinum (tri-coat)
- UH - Tuxedo Black Metallic
- UJ - Sterling Gray Metallic
- UK - Royal Red
- UX - Ingot Silver Metallic
- UY - Molten Orange
- UZ - Lava Red Metallic
- YZ - Oxford White

Exterior Accent Color Codes
- G3 - Pueblo Gold
- UJ - Sterling Gray Metallic
- UX - Ingot Silver Metallic

Wheelbase





- 126 - 3,200 mm (126 in)
- 133 - 3,378 mm (133 in)
- 145 - 3,683 mm (145 in)
- 157 - 3,988 mm (157 in)
- 163 - 4,140 mm (163 in)

Interior Trim





Interior trim codes are listed as a 2-part code. The first character identifies the interior trim type. The second character identifies the interior trim color.

Interior Trim Type
- 7 - Mini perforated leather captains chairs - F-150 SVT Raptor
- 8 - Mini perforated 2-tone leather captains chairs - F-150 SVT Raptor
- 9 - Leather 40/20/40 seating - F-150 Platinum
- A - Structure vinyl 40/20/40 seating
- B - Razor cloth 40/20/40 seating - FX4
- C - Austin cloth 40/20/40 (split bench) seating
- D - Harley Davidson(TM) leather captains chairs
- E - Verona leather 40/20/40 seating
- F - Lucas cloth captains chairs
- G - Razor 2-tone cloth 40/20/40 seating - FX4
- H - Verona leather captains chairs
- J - Apache weave leather captains chairs - FX4
- K - King Ranch leather captains chairs
- L - Razor 2-tone cloth captains chairs - FX4
- M - Lucas cloth 40/20/40 seating
- Q - Apache weave 2-tone leather captains chairs - FX4
- R - Razor cloth captains chairs - FX4
- S - Austin cloth 40/20/40 seating
- U - Austin cloth captains chairs
- V - Mark LT leather 40/20/40 bucket seating - Mark LT (Mexico only)

Interior Trim Color
- B - Charcoal Black
- E - Medium Stone Gray
- W - Medium Camel Tan

Tape/Paint Stripe





Tape and paint stripe codes do not apply.

Radio Type





- 5 - Premium electronic AM/FM stereo with CD player
- 6 - Premium electronic AM/FM stereo with CD changer, clock and MP3 capability
- 7 - Electronic AM/FM stereo clock
- B - AM/FM stereo with CD changer, clock and MP3 capability
- I - In-dash internet device, less radio
- N - AM/FM stereo with CD changer and navigation system

Axle Type





The following lists the available axle ratios.

- 15 - 3.15 non-limited slip
- 19 - 3.55 non-limited slip
- 26 - 3.73 non-limited slip
- 27 - 3.31 non-limited slip
- B6 - 3.73 limited slip
- H9 - 3.55 limited slip
- L4 - 4.10 locking differential - F-150 SVT Raptor
- L6 - 3.73 locking differential

Additional axle information is available on the axle tag. Refer to Differential Assembly &/or Axle Shaft Assembly &/or Drive/Propeller Shafts, Bearings and Joints.

Transmission Type





- 6 - 6-speed automatic, 6R80
- Q - 4-speed automatic, 4R75E (Livonia)

Additional transmission information is available on the transmission tag. Refer to Automatic Transmission/Transaxle &/or Transmission Control Systems.

Spring Code





Spring codes are listed as a 2-part code. The first 2 characters listed identify the front springs. The second 2 characters listed identify the rear springs.

- Front spring base part number - 5310
- Rear spring base part number - 5560


Powertrain Calibration Information





NOTE: Powertrain calibration information is limited to a maximum of 5 characters per line on the VC label. Because of this, calibration identification consisting of more than 5 characters will wrap to the second line on the VC label.

Powertrain calibration information is printed in the lower right corner of the VC label. Only base calibration information is printed. Revision levels will not appear, however, they can be obtained through a scan tool using the most current software revision.










Model Year
- 1 - 2001
- 2 - 2002
- 3 - 2003
- 4 - 2004
- 5 - 2005
- 6 - 2006
- 7 - 2007
- 8 - 2008
- 9 - 2009
- A - 2010

Vehicle Line
- F6 - F-150
- F6 - Mark LT (Mexico only)

Transmission
- 1 - Automatic transmission

Unique Calibration

The Emissions/Corporate Average Fuel Economy/CO2 Compliance Department is responsible for assigning these calibration numbers. Unique calibration identifications are assigned to cover similar vehicles to differentiate tires, drive configurations, final drive ratios and other calibration-significant factors.

These 2 characters are chosen by the analyst to provide identifiable information unique to each calibration. For example, using the number 2 to denote a 2-valve engine versus using the number 4 to denote a 4-valve engine, offers an easily identifiable difference.

Fleet Code
- 1 - Heavy duty gas engine/Dyno
- 2 - Fast - Automobile Manufacturers' Association, US
- 3 - Alternative durability protocol, US
- 4 - Not assigned
- 5 - Not assigned
- 6 - Evaporative Emission (EVAP)
- 7 - Mileage accumulation, aging endurance durability
- 8 - On-Board Diagnostic (OBD)
- 9 - Not assigned

Certification Region
- 5 - US 50 states
- A - US federal, including altitude, may include Canada and/or Mexico
- B - US California, includes US green states
- C - Canada
- D - China
- E - European Community (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom)
- F - Extended European Community (E plus Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Yugoslavia)
- G - Gulf Cooperative Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates)
- H - Hong Kong
- J - Japan
- K - Korea
- L - Malaysia
- M - Mexico
- N - New Zealand
- P - Australia
- Q - South America (Brazil)
- S - Singapore
- T - Taiwan
- V - Vietnam
- X - Rest Of World (ROW)
- Y - Military
- Z - Israel

Revision Level (not printed on label)
- 91-99 - Hardware calibration levels
- 01-04 - Preliminary levels
- 00 - Job 1 production (initial calibration)
- 05-09 - Pre-job 1 revisions to calibrations
- 10-89 - Post-job 1 revisions to calibrations
- 0B - Durability test level
- BD - OBD intermediate level (pre-05)