“How do I find out what options my car was ordered with?” is a common question among many vehicle owners. Whether you purchased a new car or are curious to know what features your old vehicle comes with, there are some ways you can find out this information.
Although an owner’s manual is always the first point of consultation, several other methods are available to help you with this information. This article discusses easy ways to find out what options your car came with initially.
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How Can You Find Out What Options Your Car Was Ordered With?
You can find out what options your car was ordered with by checking a VIN decoder website, which is one of the easiest ways to figure this out. You can also find this information by consulting the car’s manufacturer or getting a vehicle history report.
– Use a VIN Decoder Website
A VIN decoder website gives you important information about manufacturers and car specifications. A VIN consists of 17 digits unique to a particular vehicle. Once you have your VIN number, you only need to type this into a decoder website, then you’ll have all the necessary information. It’ll list your car’s pedigree, features, and other vital details.
You only need a simple online search to discover the best VIN decoding websites. Some of these are free to use, while others may ask you to subscribe before using their services.
– Call the Dealership or Manufacturer
Contacting the car dealership or manufacturer is another easy solution to finding out your vehicle’s unique features. Car manufacturers and dealership stores always have a record of the parts of every car they produced or sold. These records are often used to ensure they meet the client’s specifications for a particular vehicle.
You can always request a copy of the build sheet of your vehicle from both the manufacturer and the dealership. You can order this without going to their offices, as the information can be found on their sales website.
– Get Your Vehicle History Report
If you are purchasing a used vehicle, you can find out what options the car came with via a vehicle history report. Getting the vehicle history information prevents you from purchasing a car with several hidden issues. This also applies to car owners who recently bought their cars. The report contains the original invoice highlighting all the original vehicle options.
Also, you can check your vehicle service records at your service center. This works if you’ve always used them to maintain your car. Most vehicle service centers often have information about the vehicle’s original build. They may also have information about what changes they’ve made over the years.
– Check the Owner’s Manual
Consulting your owner’s manual is one of the fastest ways of discovering the unique features of your car. An owner’s manual contains important information about your vehicle, ranging from its model to all the parts of your car’s model.
An owner’s manual also includes valuable information like your VIN, vehicle specifications, and other compatible options. If you have never had an owner’s manual or misplaced it, you can check for this information on the manufacturer’s website.
Does Carfax show your vehicle’s original options? No, Carfax doesn’t show specific vehicle options. It only displays general information regarding the vehicle, model, country of origin, and production year. You must consult your owner’s manual, vehicle record, and manufacturer/dealership to know specific vehicle options.
Why Is It Important To Know Your Vehicle Options?
It is important to know your vehicle options because it guarantees that you got exactly what you ordered. Besides, it doesn’t hurt to know your car’s features. That way, you can better understand how your vehicle works and how to operate it properly.
For instance, knowing the options your vehicle offers lets you know essential components. This includes safety features that will ensure security whenever you drive.
Also, each option may need a specific type of maintenance. Understanding the options of your car will make it easier to know how to best maintain the vehicle without causing any damage. Knowing what options your car comes with makes it easy to get a commensurate price if you ever need to sell your vehicle. This is because you are fully aware of its features and worth.
Knowing your vehicle’s options makes it easier to know the overall cost of insurance. This way, you can know what to expect from your insurance coverage. It is also a great idea to learn what options your car came with so that you can quickly troubleshoot issues that may arise over time. A view of your vehicle’s options lets you understand its functionality and how it can perform best.
Finally, having an idea of the unique features your car comes with also gives you an idea of what could be altered or added. It would be a waste of resources to add on features your vehicle already has.
– Full-option Car Meaning
A full-option car is a car that is manufactured with all the options needed. These cars are usually made of the highest quality and come fully equipped with unique features. With a full-option vehicle, you don’t have to consider adding other options to your car.
– Add Options to a New Car
You can include desired options in your new car. However, being able to do this depends on the car manufacturer or dealership store where it is purchased. Almost every vehicle allows add-ons, and you can always include options for an already-produced car. However, most manufacturers offer several trim levels for every car model, each with unique features.
Hence, you can include options for a new car by purchasing a higher trim level with the specific options you want. You don’t have to pay extra to include these features.
If you don’t have the means to purchase a car with a higher trim level, you can check with the manufacturer for add-on options being offered at a discounted rate. You can consult your dealership or service center to include extra options for your new car.
They would be able to install the desired options at a charge which is often included in the overall cost. Another way you can add specific options to your new car is by purchasing them separately as spare parts and installing them. However, doing this is quite expensive, especially when labor cost is included. Although this is a way of adding unique options to your car, it has risks.
First of all, it can affect the warranty of your car. To avoid complications, you must ensure that whatever part you buy is compatible with your vehicle. If a professional mechanic doesn’t install it, your new car may start to malfunction.
Finally, you can include additional options to your new car by customizing it to your taste. Also known as “ordering,” this costly method involves partnering with the manufacturer to create a custom car with unique features.
What Is a VIN When It Comes to Car Options?
When it comes to car options, a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a 17-digit number that contains valuable information assigned to each car from the point of production. A VIN is used to identify and track down that vehicle when needed.
It is used to know the pedigree of a car, where it was manufactured, its model, model year, specifications, add-on options, and other vital information. Overall, a VIN number is used to determine a car’s authenticity.
Knowing this, you must know your vehicle’s VIN. It makes buying, selling, insuring, and tracking easier. The VIN lets you know that you got an authentic car with all its options intact. If you’re buying a used car, a VIN makes it easy to access its record.
This unique number lets you know how many repairs or changes have been made and other essential details like accidents. A VIN protects you from purchasing a vehicle ridden with issues. A vehicle identification number serves to help you understand your car’s history, operations, maintenance, and other vital details.
– Where To Find Your VIN
You can find the VIN on several parts of the vehicle. The most common location to find your car’s VIN is on the driver’s side dashboard, usually at the bottom of the windshield. It is typically visible through the windshield. You can also find your vehicle’s VIN on the hinge of the driver’s side door.
It is usually printed onto a small metal plate attached to the hinge. The VIN is also located at the rear passenger door’s hinge. You can also locate VIN by looking up the vehicle’s registration documents. This information can also be found in your vehicle’s record report and insurance documents.
Another way you can locate your car VIN is by checking under the hood. The code is usually stamped into the engine or transmission. However, this is easier to decipher if you take your car to a professional mechanic.
– Decoding the VIN Number
A VIN is a 17-digit number that is often comprised of numbers and letters. Each character represents specific information about the vehicle. The first three characters of a VIN indicate the car’s manufacturer and the country it was produced. It is known as World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI).
The first character represents the country of production, and the last two indicate the manufacturer. After the first three characters, the following five are known as the Vehicle Description Section (VDS). These five characters describe the vehicle’s specifications, including engine design and size, body style, model, and vehicle type. The ninth character is the Check Digit, a mathematical representation used to determine the accuracy of the VIN.
The 10th character of the VIN is known as the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS), and it provides specific information about the vehicle. The remaining seven characters fall into the VIS category and include the detail of the model’s year of production.
It also lets you know the manufacturing plant’s location and the vehicle’s production number. Regardless of the vehicle type, all VINs follow the same pattern, making it easy to get the information you need.
– Free VIN Websites To Check Car Original Options
Carfax is one of the best free VIN check websites to see your vehicle options and decode your VIN. You can get detailed vehicle records, repair or accident records, as well as unique options for your vehicle. AutoCheck is another excellent VIN Check website you can use for free. It provides essential details about your car, ranging from options to valuable vehicle records.
Other websites like the National Insurance Crime Bureau site, iSeeCars, and VehicleHistory offer VIN checks for free. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also has a website that lets people use its VIN lookup service for free. All you need to do is input your VIN, and you immediately have access to all the data you need, including vehicle options.
You can also check out the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website. They carry out VIN lookup services for free, allowing vehicle owners access to valuable information about their vehicles. Another best VIN check website you can access for free is VINAudit, which performs the same services as other VIN lookup sites. Most vehicle manufacturers also have VIN check websites offering free lookup services.
– VIN Showing All Available Car Options
A VIN provides you with all the options your vehicle has. It even lists details like what storage space your vehicle has. A VIN tells you all you need to know about your car as long as your code is accurate. Using a good decoding site will provide you with all the options you need to know.
– Changing Your Vehicle’s VIN
You can’t change the VIN that your car came with. Unlike other numbers like registration or license plate numbers that can be changed, a VIN can’t be altered. It is usually a unique number assigned to a vehicle from the point of production and is fixed to the car forever.
– Build Sheet
You can definitely get a build sheet from a VIN. Once you enter the correct VIN, you immediately get access to your vehicle’s build sheet containing important information about your vehicle’s equipment. You can get its unique specifications, engine size, vehicle capacity, interior dimensions, and factory options.
– Short VIN
A short VIN is likely because your car was likely manufactured before January 1981. The VIN with a 17-digit number was introduced in 1981 as the official standard format of all VINs. Before then, VINs had as low as 5 to 13 digits. Vehicles made as far back as the 1950s do not even have a VIN.
Conclusion
Your VIN is your best bet to find out what options your vehicle was ordered with.
Here’s a quick summary of the main points we discussed in this article:
- How can you find out what options your vehicle was ordered with? You can check using your VIN or consult your owner’s manual. You can also contact the manufacturer/dealership or use a decoding website.
- You need to know your vehicle’s options because it makes it easier to determine its functionality, know the proper maintenance, and operate your car safely.
- A VIN is a 17-digit number that’s very important to most vehicle owners because it lets you access every vital detail about your car.
- You can locate your VIN in the driver’s side dashboard, side door, on the windshield, and under the hood.
- The best free websites for a VIN check include Carfax, AutoCheck, iSeeCars, VehicleHistory, and VINAudit.
Knowing your vehicle’s options makes it easier to insure, maintain, operate and resell it. With this information, you can make the best use of your car.
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