How Tesla’s VIN Reveals Battery, Autopilot & Trim Details
Tesla vehicles come with many advanced features, which can vary depending on the model. These features are often listed in the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). In this guide, we’ll break down how to read a Tesla VIN, focusing on the battery type, autopilot capabilities, and trim levels. Understanding these elements can help you learn more about the specific Tesla you’re interested in.
What Is a Tesla VIN?
A VIN is a unique code assigned to each vehicle. It provides important details about the car, including its make, model, year, and production information. Tesla’s VIN can be used to identify key features such as the battery, autopilot system, and trim level.
How to Decode Tesla VIN: Understanding the Structure
A Tesla VIN is divided into three sections: the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS), and the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS). Let’s break these down to understand what each part reveals about your Tesla.
1. World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
The first three characters in the VIN are the WMI, which indicate the manufacturer of the vehicle. For Teslas, this is typically:
- 5YJ for Tesla cars manufactured in the United States.
- 5YJ3 for Tesla cars made in China (such as the Model 3 produced at Giga Shanghai).
While the WMI doesn’t give information about specific features, it helps determine where the vehicle was produced, which can be important for servicing and warranty purposes.
2. Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
The next six characters (4-9) make up the VDS, which gives detailed information about the vehicle’s model, body type, trim, and engine. This section is key to understanding the specifics of your Tesla’s performance and features, including battery size, Autopilot configuration, and trim level.
- Character 4 (Model): This letter or number tells you the model of your Tesla (e.g., “S” for Model S, “3” for Model 3, “X” for Model X, and “Y” for Model Y).
- Character 5 (Body Style): This character represents the body style. A “D” could indicate dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD), while a “R” might denote rear-wheel drive.
- Character 6 (Battery Type): This is where you can find information about your car’s battery capacity. For instance, the “90” and “100” indicate the 90 kWh and 100 kWh battery options for Model S.
- Character 7 (Interior/Trim): This letter gives information about the interior configuration or trim level of your Tesla, which includes premium interior options or standard features.
- Character 8 (Motor Type): This character identifies the type of motor and drive configuration, such as “P” for performance models or “D” for dual motors (AWD).
These characters collectively tell you a lot about the Tesla’s battery size, trim package, and other important features.
3. Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)
The last eight characters (10-17) form the VIS, which are used to identify the unique vehicle number, production year, and manufacturing location.
- Character 10 (Model Year): This character indicates the model year of your Tesla, with letters such as “G” for 2016, “H” for 2017, and so on.
- Character 11 (Manufacturing Plant): The letter here indicates where your Tesla was manufactured, like “F” for Fremont, California.
- Characters 12-17 (Production Number): These six characters are unique to your specific vehicle and are used for tracking.
| Section | Characters | What It Reveals |
| WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier) | 1-3 | Identifies Tesla as the manufacturer (e.g., 5YJ for U.S. manufacturing) |
| VDS (Vehicle Descriptor Section) | 4-9 | Model, battery size, trim, motor type |
| VIS (Vehicle Identifier Section) | 10-17 | Model year, plant location, production number |
Decoding Battery Information
Tesla’s vehicles come with different battery configurations, depending on the model and year. The battery code can be found in the 7th to 9th characters of the VIN. For example, a “P” might indicate a larger battery size, while an “S” could represent a standard battery.
By decoding the VIN, you can easily determine the battery type used in a specific Tesla vehicle. This is important because the battery type influences the car’s range and performance. Teslas with larger batteries tend to offer longer ranges and faster acceleration.
Decoding Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) Features
Autopilot is another critical feature that can be identified through the VIN. Tesla vehicles come with different levels of autopilot features, such as basic autopilot or full self-driving capability. The 10th character in the VIN typically indicates which version of Autopilot is installed.
If the VIN shows “AP,” the car has basic autopilot features. If it includes “FSD,” the car comes with full self-driving capabilities, allowing for more advanced automated driving features.
| Autopilot Feature | Available Models | VIN Character(s) |
| Basic Autopilot | All Tesla models | Default in VIN |
| Navigate on Autopilot | Model S, Model X, Model 3 | Additional VIN codes |
| Full Self-Driving | Model S, Model X, Model 3 | Specific FSD VIN codes |
Decoding Trim Levels and Interior Features
Tesla’s VIN also encodes information about your car’s trim level and interior features. The VDS section helps you figure out which specific interior package your Tesla has, whether it’s a premium upgrade or a standard configuration. These trim details can influence everything from the color of your interior to the seats and other luxury options.
For example:
- Model S has several trims: Long Range, Performance, and Plaid, each with different performance features and interior options.
- Model 3 comes in three trims: Standard Range Plus, Long Range, and Performance, each with varying features like heated seats, audio systems, and more.
Decoding the VIN can quickly tell you which interior package your Tesla has, allowing you to understand what features are available for your vehicle, from premium seats to custom floor mats.
Why Decoding Your Tesla VIN Is Important
Understanding how to decode Tesla VIN offers several key benefits, including:
✅ Better Maintenance and Repairs: Knowing the specifics of your Tesla’s features, like battery capacity or trim level, ensures that you use the correct parts and specifications for repairs.
✅ Insurance Accuracy: Insurance companies use your VIN to determine coverage and premiums. Decoding it helps you understand how your car’s features may affect your policy.
✅ Future Upgrades: If you want to upgrade your Tesla’s features, decoding your VIN can tell you whether your car already has the necessary hardware (such as for Autopilot or FSD) to support future updates.
✅ Vehicle History and Ownership: The VIN can help you track the history of your car, including any recalls or service bulletins that might affect its performance.
Conclusion
Tesla’s VIN decode holds valuable information about your vehicle’s battery capacity, Autopilot system, trim level, and more. By understanding how to decode Tesla VIN, you can easily access important details about your car, whether you’re looking to maintain your vehicle, compare insurance quotes, or consider upgrades like Full Self-Driving.
With a little know-how, decoding your Tesla VIN provides a wealth of insights that can enhance your experience as a Tesla owner. So the next time you want to learn more about your vehicle’s specs, take a moment to use a Tesla VIN decode tool and unlock all the valuable information it holds.