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Find Tires by VIN Number

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When it comes to keeping your vehicle safe and performing at its best, understanding your tires is paramount. Each tire possesses a unique set of specifications, encompassing size, load capacity, speed rating, and manufacturing date. While these details can often be found etched on the tire sidewall, did you know that the vehicle identification number (VIN) can unlock a wealth of tire information? In this article, we’ll embark on an exhilarating journey into the world of tires, delving deep into the mysteries of VIN decoding to unearth essential tire details that elevate your driving experience to new heights of safety and efficiency.

At a Glance

Table of Contents

What is VIN Number?

Your vehicle’s VIN number acts as its one-of-a-kind code, much like a fingerprint. This alphanumeric 17-character sequence holds a treasure trove of information, including the vehicle’s make, model, year of manufacture, and more. But here’s a little-known secret: the VIN also indirectly contains vital insights into your tires. By unraveling the code, you can access specific tire details without ever laying eyes on each tire individually.

Understanding the VIN's Language

Its full name is ‘Vehicle Identification Number’. Before we embark on our voyage through the labyrinthine paths of VIN decoding for tire information, let’s take a moment to understand what the VIN number is and how it’s structured. The VIN, a unique 17-character alphanumeric code, is assigned to every manufactured vehicle. Acting as a distinctive identifier, it facilitates effortless vehicle identification and tracking. Typically found on the driver’s side of the dashboard, visible through the windshield, the VIN reveals its secrets to those who know how to unlock its power.

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)

The first three characters are the WMI. This bad boy unveils the vehicle’s manufacturer and the country where it was born.

Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)

Characters 4 to 9 make up the VDS. This section spills the beans on your ride’s attributes, like the body style, engine type, and restraint system.

Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)

The VIS is where things get real interesting, spannin’ characters 10 to 17. It’s the final piece of the VIN puzzle and reveals deets like the model year, production plant, and serial number of your precious ride.

How do I Find My Tire Size with My Vin Number?

The VIN number is the fingerprint of your vehicle but sadly, tire size information isn’t included in this number.

However, there is a way to find the right size for your vehicle by using the VIN number.

Step 1: Using NHTSA’s VIN Decoder

NHTSA(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has released a tool for vehicle owners. You can simply put your vehicle’s VIN number here and reach detailed information about your vehicle.

NHTSA Decoder’s link: https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder

Note: If your vehicle is tuned (lifted, installed body kit, etc.), this information is invalid and you may experience fitment issues).

If your vehicle is made before 1981, your VIN number might be shorter

After entering your VIN number, click decode VIN. Scroll below and you’ll see something similar to the below image.

Basic information about your vehicle

From here note:

  • Model
  • Model Year
  • Make

After noting these two, keep scrolling below. You’ll see the other information section.

In fact, all the data in this section are combined to find the appropriate tire size. But that's the job of vehicle and tire manufacturers. We will choose the shortcut.

Even though some lines don’t contain any data, it is most probably because I was using a fake VIN number. 

Anyway, we are going to need only Trim from here. If you’re confused, you can check this article out the see what trim or even SE means for cars.

Note only trim from this section.

Now we have,

  • Model year
  • Make
  • Trim

It’s time to use the unique tool by DiscountTire.

Step 2: Using Tire Finder by Discount Tire

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We’ve already finished the hard part. Now we’re just going to enter the data we have.

  • Step 1: Visit Discount Tire’s website: https://www.discounttire.com
  • Step 2: Click the ‘Tires’ menu on the top left.
  • Step 3: Select ‘Shop by Vehicle’
  • Step 4: Enter the year data you’ve noted from NHTSA’s decoder or you can simply enter your license plate number and skip the step 5 and 6
  •  Step 5: Enter the make of your vehicle
  • Step 6: Enter the model of your vehicle
  • Step 7: Enter the trim level of your vehicle
  • Step 8: See your tire size!
A side note here: Your VIN sticker is often on the driver’s side door jamb. I also explain how to read tire size and where can you find it in this article.

Conclusion

It’s possible to find your tire size by using your VIN number. However, there are easiest ways like checking the driver’s door sticker containing the VIN number or using the Discount Tire tool and just entering your license plate.

I hope the article was helpful. If you need any further support about tire selection, please leave a comment below. Have a safe ride folks!

For those who prefer to see whole market analyze:

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