Aisin manufactures manual gearboxes for Toyota vehicles with rear-wheel drive that are comparable (but not identical) to the AX series used by Dodge and Jeep and the AR5 used by GM and Isuzu. Particularly the Toyota models are highly specialized; almost every model is distinct, and many have sub-variants designed for particular vehicles or driveline configurations. If the driveline is original, the VIN tag is the best way to locate the transmission:
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Where can I get the transmission model number?
The transmission tag, which is fastened to the side of the transmission, bears the designation of the transmission model (for example, RT-12609A) and other transmission identification details.
Does the VIN number indicate the type of transmission?
It has historically been difficult to identify a vehicle’s transmission type from its VIN alone. The majority of automobiles were provided by OEMs with both manual and automatic transmission options throughout the 1990s and even into the early 2000s. Additionally, while the NHTSA VIN standard mandates that OEMs encode model and engine information into slots 4 through 8 of the VIN, there is no similar mandate for transmission type encoding. Even now, more than 5% of vehicles made for current model years are available with standard and manual options, and the transmission data is not recorded in the VIN. However, the majority of vehicles are only available with automatic transmissions.
In order to improve the match rate of decoded transmissions in your inventory or data feed, this article addresses four frequently asked topics about VIN decoding transmission data and offers potential answers.
Why can’t I determine the transmission type for my VIN?
Positions 48 of the VIN are encoded with a variety of useful vehicle information, including the engine, body type, drive type (RWD vs. AWD, etc.), restraint system, and GVWR, as was covered in Part II of our VIN Decoding 101 Guide. This VIN part is also used by some OEMs to record transmission data. Unfortunately, the NHTSA VIN standard does not call for this. VIN alone will not be sufficient to identify the vehicle’s transmission type because some OEMs continue to utilize the same 10-digit VIN sequences for automatic and manual transmission vehicles.
The gearbox match rates for total loss claims, salvage/scrap, auctions, and used car sales are significantly impacted by this, which is especially problematic for older vehicle inventory.
How often will I be able to determine transmission using VIN alone?
Your odds of being able to determine transmission from the VIN alone are substantially higher for recent model years than for older vehicles due to the gradual decrease in manual transmission options for new cars (see our post on the Demise of the Manual Transmission). The fraction of VIN patterns over time that refer to a single transmission is displayed in the table below. Note that depending on the makeup and age of your inventory, percentages for your stock may vary from the figures below.
Which makes are particularly problematic?
The VIN is typically sufficient information to determine transmission for many makes. However, for the following brands in the most recent five model years, you should anticipate it to be particularly challenging to determine transmission from VIN alone:
It is particularly challenging to determine transmission from the VIN pattern alone for:
- Mini
- Fiat
- Jeep
- Porsche
- Ram
- BMW
How can I improve my transmission match rate?
There are two ways to increase your transmission match rate if you want to go beyond what the VIN can provide. Utilizing 17-digit VIN-specific vehicle build information obtained from your data provider is your first choice. In addition to the VIN kept with your vehicle inventory, you could also be able to identify the installed transmission using additional information.
To provide factory OEM build data, which details the precise trim, style, transmission, interior and exterior color, and factory optional equipment put on the vehicle when it rolled off the assembly line, data providers like DataOne have partnered with OEMs. This gives you access to the vehicle’s internal configuration record maintained by the OEM. While not all manufacturers have made this information available, some data providers have created their own 17-digit VIN-specific VIN Decoding logic that may be able to detect the installed transmission even if it isn’t stored in the VIN pattern.
You might discover that, in addition to VIN, you have previously gathered (or obtained from an inventory data feed) additional datapoints. These could be a trim name, manufacturer model number, package code, transmission code, or even just a straightforward transmission type (“M, “A, “MT, “AT, etc). Any of these fields might be the final piece needed to correctly and completely identify installed transmissions. Additionally, rather than attempting to decode the right meaning yourself, if you use DataOne’s VIN decoding service, you may send all these additional datapoints to our API and let us interpret them.
Transmission type is the most useful (and obvious) datapoint you can try to gather and use along with VIN when it comes to deciphering transmission details. Once you have the VIN and the transmission type, you should be able to rely on your data source to inform you whether a car with the VIN XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX has a 5-speed manual transmission, a 6-speed manual transmission, etc. There are a few VIN patterns that signify automobiles that can be equipped with multiple automatic transmission or multiple manual gearbox types, however this is uncommon. The next two most useful datapoints, if you can’t include transmission type in your decoding process, would be manufacturer model number and trim level (typically accessible through inventory feeds or DMS data for new vehicles) (for example, L, LE, or XLE). For vehicles from the early 2000s, taking into account these two fields will enhance your match percentage by roughly 56 percentage points, and by a few percentage points for more current model years.
The purpose of DataOne’s VIN Decoder API is to provide industry-leading VIN decoding accuracy and precision by utilizing OEM factory build data and proprietary 17-digit advanced VIN decoding logic developed at DataOne. Additionally, DataOne’s APIs are made to accept a wide range of data as input, including VIN, OEM codes, trim, and any other vehicle descriptors like “manual” or “automatic” that you may have access to. These inputs are then used to return a single transmission, style, and color whenever possible for use cases that do not justify the cost of OEM build data licensing. This lessens the need for human inventory verification on your part and improves the accuracy of your data and vehicle listings as well as their perceived worth to potential buyers.
How are transmission numbers recognized?
Crawling underneath the car and looking for part numbers is an other method. Look for part numbers stamped into the transmission pan or the transmission itself using a strong flashlight. Cross-referencing the numbers will allow your neighborhood auto part retailer or dealer to identify the type of transmission the item is for.
Which vehicle had a W58 transmission?
It was available in two variations: the original, which was found in early 1980s Celicas, Cressidas, and non-turbo Supras from 1982 to 1989; and the latter, which was found in Mk3 and Mk4 Supras, as well as Lexus SC 300s.
What digit is the transmission in a VIN number?
The Vehicle Description Section is represented by the numbers in positions 4 through 9. (VDS). Your vehicle’s model, body type, restraint system, gearbox type, and engine code are all identified by the fourth through eighth digits. The check digit, or ninth digit, is used to identify fake VINs.
Which transmission manufacturer does Toyota use?
Aisin-Warner produces the A line of automatic FWD/RWD/4WD/AWD transmissions for Toyota Motor Corporation. They have a lot in common with the AW7* and 03-71* transmissions from Volvo and Aisin-Warner, which are used in Suzuki, Mitsubishi, and other Asian cars.
Three sections comprise the codes:
- Aisin-Warner Automatic corresponds to the letter A.
- three or two digits.
- Two digits are used in older broadcasts.
- The generation is represented by the first digit (not the number of gears, see A10 vs A20 and A30 vs A40 vs A40D).
- The application is represented by the final digit.
- Three digits are used in newer transmissions.
- The generation is represented by the first digit. The order is 1, 2,…, 9, A, B, with A and B being considered digits.
The meaning of the numbers on a transmission
Naturally, Drive is the sole transmission position most people choose for forward motion because an automatic transmission automatically selects those gears based on the throttle position, vehicle speed, and other variables.
In addition to the PRND possibilities, the majority of automatic gearboxes let you choose one or more additional positions. In certain circumstances, what you’re choosing is essentially a mode, like Drive, that gives the automatic gearbox freedom to operate autonomously while changing gears as needed: The Low (L) mode usually keeps the transmission in lower gears than Drive for the specified speed, as you’d want to do to provide engine brakes to descend steep hills, but it no longer restricts the transmission to one gear.
Additionally, S is mentioned, which could be a Sport mode that causes the transmission to perform similarly, downshifting more quickly when you open the throttle to pass and holding lower ratios for longer when you want to accelerate steadily.
In modern cars, the PRND usually ends with just a L or S, although in the past, automatic cars and trucks would frequently follow Drive with a 321 or even a 4321. Although there have been some exceptions, the numbers rarely indicated that the automatic gearbox would act as a manual, allowing the driver to select, for example, second gear without the transmission shifting up or down. Instead, with the lever in that position, each number simply signified the highest gear to which the transmission would automatically shift.
In a four-speed gearbox, for instance, selecting 3 would allow the automatic transmission to shift between the first, second, and third gears, but the fourth gear would be locked out and only accessible by selecting drive. Who knows? A lower gear offers more engine braking when driving in the mountains and prevents the transmission from moving as frequently, which can cause it to overheat. If one were available, only a 1 position could keep this kind of automatic in a single gear ratio.
Some cars lock out the two highest gears, not just one, when the lever is moved from D to the highest number: Some automatic vehicles include a “O/D off” pushbutton on their gear levers or dashboards, which locks off the overdrive gear, which was previously the only top gear. A transmission with the marking PRND32 would actually have five speeds, with the O/D off button limiting the gearbox to first through fourth gears and the third gear being the highest.
Only recently have automatic transmissions with manual modes become more common. These transmissions may usually be identified by the presence of shift paddles or buttons on the steering wheel, as well as by the plus and minus positions on a secondary gate next to the gear stick. The manual mode on these vehicles typically restricts shifting to the driver alone, although occasionally they simply lock out higher gears, as the number position did in our old acquaintance PRND321.
For more details, consult the owner’s manual of the car. Modern automobiles offer a wide range of driving modes, generally through specialized buttons rather than the stick, which may educate you on additional ways to increase performance or decrease stress on the transmission.
Where on a can I find the transmission serial number?
An Allison transmission’s serial number could be found on the transmission data plate. This may be found on the transmission’s side.
Typically, the lower back face of the rear housing is where you’ll find this data plate. An Allison transmission’s serial number typically consists of 10 digits and is displayed next to the transmission’s model number. Typically, the transmission data plate’s bottom left corner displays the serial number.
What kind of transmission are there?
There are three different types of transmissions in use: manual, automatic, and CVT. Each is designed to meet a certain set of requirements and driving preferences.
How can I tell whether my transmission has four or six speeds?
To count the gearshifts the truck makes to reach your top speed, just drive the vehicle. Although you should be aware of 100 mph. It is a 4 speed if it only makes 3 shifts (you start at 1st). It is a six speed if there are five shifts.
How does CVT work?
Continuously Variable Transmission, or CVT, functions similarly to a conventional automatic transmission. Germain Honda of Ann Arbor has put together this comprehensive comparison to help dispel any misunderstandings about the basic differences between a standard automatic transmission and a CVT.
The W56 came in what?
42 and 44 Toyota vehicles and SUVs were equipped with the reliable 5-speed manual Toyota W56 powertrain between 1985 and 1995. It shares the majority of the internals with the Toyota W55 despite having a separate model name. With the exception of the first two gears, which are lowered to better accommodate use in trucks. So let’s go further to learn how to fix Toyota W56 transmission issues.
Do you require a new transmission? Obtain a price quote for local installation and replacement transmissions. By making and model of your car, look up the transmission model.