A VIN, or vehicle identification number, is a 17-digit code assigned to every vehicle when it’s manufactured. This number contains information about the vehicle’s manufacturer, model, year, and more. If you need to replace your windshield, you must know your VIN. This number will help you find the specific windshield you need for your car.
This blog post will show you how to find your VIN and use it to find the right windshield for your car.
What is a VIN Number?
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique code that identifies your vehicle.
The VIN consists of 17 digits and characters (including letters and numbers). The first three characters are known as the “WMI” (World Manufacturer’s Identifier), and they identify the vehicle’s manufacturer. The following five characters are the “vehicle descriptor section,” which provides information about the vehicle body style, engine type, and transmission type. The ninth character is the “check digit,” which is used to verify that the VIN is legitimate.
Glass technicians can use the VIN to order specific windshields for your vehicle. When ordering a replacement windshield, you must provide your VIN to ensure you receive the correct windshield for your car.
How to Use a VIN Number to Identify a Windshield
As a general rule, when finding the right windshield for your vehicle, using a VIN can be a great way to narrow down your search. If you need to know your VIN, you can usually find it on the lower left side of your windshield. Once you have your VIN, enter it into a search engine along with the make and model of your vehicle.
How to Find a Windshield Using a VIN Number
You can use the vehicle identification number (VIN) to find a specific windshield in mind for your vehicle. The VIN can be found on the dashboard, the driver’s side door, or the vehicle registration paperwork.
To find a windshield using a VIN, you will need to know the make and model of the vehicle, as well as the year it was manufactured. If you are unsure of the make or model of your car, you can also use the VIN to find out this information. You can either look up the VIN online or take it to a local dealership or auto body shop, and they can tell you what kind of car you have.
Once you know this information, you can use GlassMatch to find the right windshield for your car. Elmo Anywhere has a NEW integration called GlassMatch to determine what windshield fits a vehicle by VIN Number.
Now, let’s talk about how to use GlassMatch.
- First, navigate to the Quote or Order page.
- Proceed to search and select a vehicle using VIN Lookup. Refer to the VIN Lookup article for more help.
- When the vehicle is selected, a NEW button called “Glass Match ($1)” will appear. (If the feature is enabled for your Elmo Anywhere account)
When the GlassMatch button is clicked, a pop-up box will ask for confirmation for the $1.00 lookup.
Please note: If GlassMatch has already processed the VIN, you will not be charged again.
Clicking OK will search for the correct windshield for the VIN.
A VinDecode tab will appear, and the parts for that VIN will be displayed in that grid. Also, OEM and Nags part numbers may be shown for reference.
When a successful GlassMatch transaction is processed, pop-up the correct windshield part will be noted with a star in the Vehicle Lookup Tab.
Occasionally, the part will not have a star, but the correct part number can be found in the description on the VinDecode tab.
If more than ONE result is found, a pop-up box will appear stating that the correct part number must be determined. An email will be sent to you within an hour with the valid part number after the dealer has contacted you.
If GlassMatch has already processed the VIN, when a user clicks the GlassMatch button again, it will do a free-charge search for that VIN and return data as outlined above. Each Order will only show the latest GlassMatch results in the VinDecode tab.
Conclusion
If you need to replace your windshield, it’s essential to make sure you get the right one. Want to learn more about how to use the Glass Match feature for Elmo Anywhere? Check out this How-To.