How To Find Gear Ratio By Vin?

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Are you trying to figure out the gear ratio of your vehicle but don’t know how? Are you looking for an easy and accurate way to find it without spending lots of time and money at a garage or mechanic shop? Finding your car’s gear ratio by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a great option.

This article will explain why knowing your car’s gear ratio is important, provide step-by-step instructions on finding the gear ratio based on VIN, as well as offer other ways to obtain this information if needed. No matter what type of vehicle you have – SUV, sedan, diesel – these tips apply!

What Is a VIN Number?

A VIN number, or Vehicle Identification Number, is a unique 17-digit code assigned to every vehicle.

Here is a breakdown of what each digit in a VIN number represents:

  • The first digit represents the country of origin of the vehicle.
  • The second digit represents the car manufacturer.
  • The third digit tells you the vehicle’s division or type.
  • The fourth to eighth digits share information about the car’s brand, engine, model, gear ratio, series, and more.
  • The ninth digit of the VIN is reserved for the manufacturer’s security authorization code.
  • The tenth digit of the VIN indicates the car’s model year.
  • The eleventh digit tells you which plant the car was made in.
  • The remaining digits are the unique vehicle production number.

Decoding a VIN plate may seem complicated, but there are simple systems or free VIN checkers online that can provide you with all the important information found in your car’s VIN plate. You can also consult a mechanic who can use a VIN decoder to provide you with the necessary information.

How Do I Find My VIN Number?

To find your VIN number, you can follow these steps:

  • Check under the hood
  • Look for the VIN number on the front engine block. It may be engraved or stamped onto a metal plate.
  • Inspect the driver’s side dashboard
  • The VIN number is often located where the dashboard meets the windshield. It may be visible through the windshield or on a sticker.
  • Look inside the driver’s side door
  • Check for a sticker on the door jamb. The VIN number is commonly displayed there.
  • Examine the car’s title and registration documents

What Does Gear Ratio Mean on Cars?

In simple terms, a gear ratio is the relationship between the size of the input gear that is attached to the engine and the size of the output gear that is attached to the wheels.

Here are some key points to understand what gear ratio means on cars:

  • All of a car’s gears are attached to an input gear and an output gear.
  • Each gear has a different gear ratio, which is determined by the size of the input and output gears.
  • The gear ratio affects the amount of torque that is produced by the engine and transferred to the wheels.
  • First gear has a higher gear ratio to provide the necessary torque to get the car moving, while fifth gear has a lower gear ratio for efficient highway driving.

To calculate a car’s gear ratio, you need to divide the number of teeth on the input gear by the number of teeth on the output gear.

How to Find Gear Ratio by VIN

To find your car’s gear ratio using the VIN number, you can look at the fourth to eighth digits of the VIN, which make up the vehicle descriptor section (VDS).

If the gear ratio is included in the VDS, it will be represented by a code such as “3731”, which means a gear ratio of 3.73:1. Keep in mind that the VDS will also contain characters for the vehicle’s make, model, and series.

However, not all manufacturers include the gear ratio in the VIN, so you may need to use a free online VIN checker or decoder to find out.

Other Ways to Work Out Gear Ratio

If you need to find out your car’s gear ratio and the VIN doesn’t provide the information, there are other ways to figure it out. One option is to do some math under the hood. For rear-wheel drive cars, count how many times the back wheel turns for each full turn of the drivetrain to determine your gear ratio. Another method is to count the teeth on the input and output gears and divide the number of teeth on the input by the number of teeth on the output. Checking your vehicle owner’s manual is always a good idea too.

Why Is Gear Ratio Important?

For those who are unfamiliar with automotive engineering, the idea of modifying a car’s gear ratio may seem like a foreign topic. However, for muscle car and truck drivers, this is a popular and valuable tool for improving performance.

Changing the gear ratio can lead to better fuel efficiency, reduced wear and tear on certain parts, increased towing capacity, and even boosted acceleration and speed. In simple terms, the gear ratio helps determine the maximum speed for each gear, allowing for improved torque production and increased speed throughout various gears.

Ultimately, altering the gear ratio can give a car the power it needs to handle heavier loads, while also giving it a noticeable improvement in acceleration and speed.

FAQs about How To Find Gear Ratio By Vin

How do you find the gear ratio of a VIN RAM?

The gear ratio of a VIN RAM can be determined by examining the differential tag or acquiring the truck’s specific build sheet. The tag displays the ratio, whereas the build sheet provides a comprehensive list of components utilized in constructing the truck, including the gear ratio.

How do you calculate gear ratio from RPM?

The gear ratio can be calculated from RPM using the following formula: (RPM x Tire Diameter in Inches) / (Final Drive Ratio x Transmission Gear Ratio x 336) = Actual numerical gear ratio to the ground from each revolution of the engine.

How do you find the gear ratio without pulling the cover?

To determine the gear ratio without removing the cover, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure the transmission is in neutral.
  2. Rotate the rear driveshaft manually.
  3. Count the number of driveshaft revolutions needed for one complete revolution of the tire.
  4. For example, if the driveshaft rotates approximately 3-1/2 times for one tire revolution, the gear ratio is 3.54.

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