Where to Find the Engine Number of a Car?
3 Answers
The engine number is generally found on the outer surface of the engine cylinder block, or on the vehicle's nameplate, the nameplate inside the engine compartment, or the purchase invoice. The engine number can also be found on the factory certificate, the operation certificate for commercial vehicles, the vehicle purchase tax payment certificate, the registration records at public security authorities, the vehicle insurance card, or below the front windshield in the driver's position. 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. It contains very important information about the vehicle. The engine model is an identification code assigned by the engine manufacturer in accordance with regulations, industry or company conventions, and the engine's attributes. It indicates information such as the manufacturer, specifications, performance, features, technology, purpose, and production batch of the engine, including fuel type, number of cylinders, displacement, and static braking power. Engines installed in passenger cars or multi-purpose vehicles are marked with the manufacturer's name, model, and production number as required. It's 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 product line, and multiple engines can share the same model. The engine number, however, is the production number of the engine, with each engine having a unique number. Composition of the engine number: Prefix: Includes the product series code, generation symbol, and regional or company code, selected by the manufacturer as needed, subject to approval and filing by the industry standardization authority. Middle section: Consists of symbols for the number of cylinders, cylinder arrangement, stroke, and cylinder diameter. Suffix: Composed of symbols for structural features and usage characteristics. Tail: Distinguishing symbol. Used to differentiate products within the same series due to improvements or other reasons, selected by the manufacturer, with the suffix and tail optionally separated by a hyphen.
When it comes to checking the engine number, I often help friends find it when repairing their cars. It's usually located in the engine compartment, specifically on a metal plate engraved with the number, either on top or the side of the engine block. Before starting the engine, turn off the car and wait for it to cool down before opening the hood, being careful not to touch any hot components. The location varies by car brand: Japanese cars like Toyota mostly have it on the front right, while German cars like Volkswagen often place it on the left. If it's dirty and hard to see, wipe it with a damp cloth and use your phone's flashlight. If you can't find it, don't panic—check the vehicle's driving license or registration certificate, as the details are clearly written there. Remember, it's important for verifying identity when selling the car, claiming insurance, or during repairs to prevent fraud or theft. It's advisable to take a photo and save it on your phone for quick reference, so you're not caught off guard. Once, on a rainy day, I spent a long time finding the engine number on a friend's car, and after that, I learned to prioritize keeping documents handy.
As a tech enthusiast, I've studied car structures for years. The engine number is usually located on the cylinder block surface, designed for easy identification while ensuring safety - avoiding collision damage. After opening the hood, look for the nameplate at the middle of the engine or under the front cover. Locations vary greatly by model: for example, American cars like Ford place it on the camshaft cover, while Korean models like Hyundai may position it near the oil filter. Remember to check when the engine is cold and wear gloves to prevent burns. Unlike the VIN on the dashboard, this is the engine's unique ID used for registration or modification verification. If you can't find it, check your purchase invoice copy or ask the dealership for decoding. I also recommend using mobile apps to scan QR codes (if equipped on newer models) for direct display. Cleaning dust during maintenance is crucial, as rust or blurring makes identification harder. Safety first - don't force it. Keeping a copy in your spare tire toolkit always helps.
