Repair and Diagnosis: Application and ID
Identification Codes
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Locator
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-digit combination of letters and numbers. The VIN is stamped on a metal tab riveted to 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 code.
- 1LN - Lincoln, USA, passenger car
Restraint Type
The fourth VIN position is the vehicle restraint-type code.
- H - Active safety belts - all positions, driver and front passenger air bags with driver and front passenger side impact protection and air curtains
Vehicle Line and Series
Positions 5 through 7 indicate vehicle line and series.
- L9D - MKS, Front Wheel Drive (FWD) - Base model
- L9E - MKS, All-Wheel Drive (AWD) - Deluxe model
- L9F - MKS, AWD - Ecoboost(R)
Engine Type
The eighth VIN position is the engine displacement and number of cylinders.
- R - 3.7L, V6, 4-valve
- T - 3.5L, V6, 4-valve
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.
- G - Chicago (Chicago, Illinois)
Production Sequence Number
The last 6 VIN positions are a numeric 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.
- 600000-999999
Vehicle Certification (VC) Label
Vehicle Certification (VC) Label Locator
The Vehicle Certification (VC) label contains the manufacturer name, the month and year of manufacture, the certification statement and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It also includes Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
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.
Paint Codes
Vehicle paint codes may be listed as a 2-part code. The first set of paint code numbers/letters listed indicate the vehicle primary body color. The second set of numbers/letters listed (if applicable) indicate a 2-tone or accent body color. All colors are base coat/clear coat.
- HT - Cinnamon
- U6 - Red Candy Tint
- UG - White Platinum (tri-coat)
- UH - Tuxedo Black Metallic
- UL - Atlantis Green Metallic
- UN - Steel Blue
- UP - Gold Leaf
- UX - Ingot Silver Metallic
- WS - White Suede
Interior Trim Codes
The interior trim codes are listed below. The first digit listed indicates the seat and fabric style. The second digit listed indicates the interior trim color.
Trim Codes
- F - Flagship leather
- L - Luxury leather
Interior Trim Color Code
- J - Light Camel Tan
- N - Sienna/Black
- V - Cashmere
- W - Charcoal Black
Tape/Paint Pinstripe Codes
Tape and paint pinstripe codes do not apply.
Radio Codes
- 6 - Premium electronic AM/FM stereo with 6-disc CD changer (MP3 capable) and clock
- N - AM/FM stereo with CD player, clock and navigation system
Axle Codes
The following lists the rear axle ratio.
- 2 - 3.16 ratio
- 3 - 3.39 ratio
- 4 - 2.77 ratio
Additional axle information can be obtained from the axle tag. Refer to Differential Assembly &/or Axle Shaft Assembly &/or Drive/Propeller Shafts, Bearings and Joints.
Transmission Code
- C - 6-speed automatic (6F55)
- J - 6-speed automatic (6F50)
Additional transmission information can be obtained from the transmission tag. Refer to Automatic Transmission/Transaxle &/or Transmission Control Systems.
Spring Codes
Spring codes list both front and rear spring codes. The first set of characters identify the front springs. The second set of characters identify the rear springs.
Front Springs
- AA - Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles
- BB - All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles
- CC - AWD, Ecoboost(R)
Rear Springs
- EE - AWD vehicles
- FF - FWD vehicles
- GG - AWD, Ecoboost(R)
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 the 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.
The following offers a more detailed explanation of the coding strategy used.
Model Year
Model year code indicates the year in which the calibration code was introduced.
- 0 - 2000
- 1 - 2001
- 2 - 2002
- 3 - 2003
- 4 - 2004
- 5 - 2005
- 6 - 2006
- 7 - 2007
- 8 - 2008
- 9 - 2009
- A- 2010
Vehicle Code
The vehicle code indicates the vehicle line to which the code applies.
- LE - Lincoln MKS
Transmission Code
The transmission code identifies the type of transmission used.
- 1 - Automatic transmission
Unique Calibration
The Emissions/Corporate Average Fuel Economy/CO2 Compliance Department is responsible for assigning these calibration numbers. Unique identifications are assigned to cover similar vehicles to differentiate between 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 identify a 4-valve engine provides an easily identifiable difference.
Fleet Coding
Identifies the fleet to which the vehicle belongs.
- 0 - Certification (U.S. 4K, final sale in export markets)
- 1 - Heavy duty gas engine/Dyno
- 2 - Fast-Automobile Manufacturer's Association, US
- 3 - Alternative durability protocol, U.S.
- 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
When instances where multiple regions are included in one calibration, the lead region will be listed.
- 5 - U.S. 50 states
- A - U.S. federal, including altitude, may include Canada and/or Mexico
- B - U.S. California standard, includes U.S. green states
- C - Canada
- D - China
- E - European Community (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom)
- F - European Extended Community (E plus Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Yugoslavia)
- G - Gulf Cooperative Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and 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
- U - South America (unleaded fuel regions)
- V - Vietnam
- X - Rest Of World (ROW)
- Y - Military
- Z - Israel
Revision Level (not printed on label)
- 91-99 - Hardware and certification levels
- 01-04 - Preliminary levels
- 00 - Job 1 production (initial certification)
- 05-09 - Pre-job 1 revisions to calibrations
- 10-89 - Post-job 1 revisions to calibrations
- 0B - Durability test level
- BD - On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) intermediate level (pre-05)