
The engine number can be found on the outer surface of the engine block, on the vehicle's nameplate, or on the nameplate inside the engine compartment. You can also check the engine number on the car purchase invoice, the factory certificate, the operating license for commercial vehicles, the vehicle purchase tax payment certificate, the registration record with the public security authorities, or the vehicle insurance card. The simplest and most direct method is to check the vehicle's administrative green book or the vehicle registration certificate. The engine number is like a person's ID number, representing each vehicle and storing very important information about the car. The engine model is an identification code assigned by the engine manufacturer in accordance with relevant regulations, corporate or industry practices, and the attributes of the engine. It is used to indicate information such as the manufacturer, specifications, performance, features, technology, purpose, and batch of the engine, including fuel type, number of cylinders, displacement, and static braking power. Engines installed in passenger cars or multi-purpose passenger vehicles are all marked with the professional manufacturer's name, model, and production number as required. It is important to note that the engine number is not the same as the engine model. The engine model refers to the specifications and size of the engine within the manufacturer's range, and engine models can be the same. The engine number, however, refers to the production number of the engine, and each engine can only have one unique engine number. Composition of the car engine number: Front part: Includes the product series code, generation symbol, and regional or corporate code. Manufacturers can choose the appropriate letters as needed, but they must be approved and filed by the industry standard's regulatory body. Middle part: Consists of symbols for the number of cylinders, cylinder arrangement, stroke, and cylinder diameter. Rear part: Composed of symbols for structural features and usage characteristics. Tail part: Distinguishing symbol. When differentiation is needed due to improvements or other reasons within the same product series, the manufacturer selects an appropriate symbol. The rear and tail parts can be separated by a hyphen (-).

The specific location of a car's engine number varies by model, but most of the time it is engraved on the engine block itself. As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I remember consulting my mechanic friend when I first bought my car. Generally, when you open the hood, you can see a small string of numbers on the front metal block of the engine—that's the engine number. Some cars have it on the side or top, making it easier to find. Additionally, don't forget that the vehicle's identification plate also records this number, usually located on the inner side of the passenger door or the inner wall of the engine compartment. The engine number is also printed on the vehicle registration certificate and driving license for verification during maintenance or transactions. If you really can't find it, you can visit a 4S dealership for assistance. Looking back, my first time finding it was quite a hassle, so I recommend new drivers study the manual in advance to avoid confusion at the service center. The engine number is a crucial identifier used to track vehicle condition and compliance, so don’t overlook regularly checking its clarity and readability.

As a new car owner who recently purchased a vehicle, I spent some time figuring this out. The engine number is mainly located on the engine itself—you'll need to open the hood and carefully inspect the metal parts. For example, on my car, I found the string of numbers on the upper left side of the engine bay. The same information is also recorded on the vehicle's identification plate, usually located on the inner side of the passenger door frame or under the hood. You can also find this number on the vehicle registration certificate, which serves as a convenient backup. A friend of mine once discovered the number had rusted during a transfer process and had to visit the DMV to update the documents. So, I recommend checking it during every maintenance to ensure it's not covered by oil or dirt. This number is crucial for warranty claims and annual inspections—understanding it in advance can save you a lot of trouble. From my experience, if you can't find it, don't panic—just refer to the manual or online tutorials.

As a young person born in the 90s, I often make minor modifications to my beloved car. The engine number is usually directly engraved on the engine surface, and you can find it at the front after opening the hood. The vehicle nameplate and driving license also have backups. Once when I was repairing my car, I almost couldn't find it, but it turned out to be just covered with dust—wiping it clean did the trick. Additionally, some new car models can link to engine information by scanning the VIN number through an APP or mobile phone, which is quite smart. The key is not to wait until there's a problem to check; make it a habit to take a look and record it when parking. Anyway, it's simple and practical, making it convenient to track maintenance history during servicing—just develop the habit.


