Your vehicle's door jamb sticker contains critical safety and specification data. Learn to decode every detail
from VIN and load capacity to paint codes and manufacturing dates.
Decoding Your Door Jamb Sticker: Complete Field Guide
1. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
The 17-character VIN on your door jamb sticker should match the dashboard VIN plate exactly. This confirms
the sticker wasn't replaced fraudulently. The VIN encodes:
- Digits 1-3: World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) - country, manufacturer, vehicle type
- Digits 4-8: Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) - model, body style, engine, trim
- Digit 9: Checksum digit for fraud detection
- Digit 10: Model year (letters/numbers cycle: B=1981, Y=2000, A=2010, R=2024, etc.)
- Digit 11: Assembly plant code
- Digits 12-17: Production sequence number
Use Snap.VIN to decode your complete VIN and verify all specifications
match your door jamb sticker data.
2. Manufacture Date
Listed as "DATE" or "MFD" (manufacture date), this shows the month and year your specific vehicle
was assembled—not the model year. Format varies by manufacturer:
- MM/YY format: 03/24 = March 2024
- Month/Year format: March 2024
- Week/Year format (European): W12/24 = 12th week of 2024
Why this matters: Vehicles built late in a production year (August-December) often incorporate
mid-cycle improvements, updated software, or component upgrades. For warranty claims, the manufacture date
determines coverage start—not the purchase date or model year.
3. GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The maximum safe total weight of your vehicle when fully loaded, measured in pounds (lbs) or
kilograms (kg). This includes:
- The vehicle's curb weight (empty weight with fluids)
- All passengers
- Cargo in cabin and trunk
- Trailer tongue weight if towing
Example: If your GVWR is 5,500 lbs and the vehicle weighs 4,200 lbs empty, you have 1,300 lbs
of payload capacity for people and cargo combined. Exceeding GVWR voids warranties, creates safety hazards
(brake failure, tire blowouts), and may violate commercial vehicle weight laws.
4. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
Maximum safe weight each axle can support, listed separately for front (GAWR FR) and
rear (GAWR RR) axles. Measured in pounds or kilograms.
Critical for: Loading cargo evenly. If you load 1,000 lbs in the trunk, the rear axle carries
almost all that weight. Check that rear GAWR isn't exceeded even if total GVWR is within limits. Pickup trucks
and SUVs often exceed rear GAWR before hitting overall GVWR when cargo is concentrated in the bed or rear area.
5. Tire Pressure Recommendations
Listed as "COLD TIRE PRESSURE" in PSI (pounds per square inch), usually showing separate values for
front and rear tires. This is the manufacturer's recommended pressure when tires are cold (vehicle hasn't been
driven for 3+ hours or driven less than 1 mile).
Common myth: The maximum PSI printed on your tire sidewall is NOT the recommended pressure—it's
the tire's structural limit. Always use the door jamb pressure, which is optimized for ride quality, fuel economy,
and tire wear for your specific vehicle weight and suspension.
- Front tires often different from rear: Heavier engine weight requires higher front pressure
- Spare tire pressure: Sometimes listed separately at higher PSI (60+ for compact temporary spares)
- Load-adjusted pressures: Some trucks show base pressure + additional PSI when heavily loaded
6. Tire Size
Original equipment tire size in P-metric or LT-metric format, example: P225/65R17
- P or LT: Passenger or Light Truck designation
- 225: Tire width in millimeters
- 65: Aspect ratio (sidewall height is 65% of width)
- R: Radial construction
- 17: Wheel diameter in inches
For replacements: You can substitute tires with the same load index and speed rating, but
changing tire size affects speedometer accuracy, ground clearance, and may void warranties. Check with a
tire professional before switching sizes.
7. Rim Size
Original wheel diameter and width, example: 17x7.5 means 17-inch diameter, 7.5-inch width.
Aftermarket wheels must maintain compatible sizing for safe tire mounting and brake caliper clearance.
8. Paint Code (Exterior Color Code)
Manufacturer's paint color code for touch-ups and body shop color matching. Format varies by brand:
- Ford: Two characters (e.g., "YZ" = Oxford White, "UM" = Antimatter Blue)
- Toyota/Lexus: Three characters (e.g., "1G3" = Magnetic Gray, "070" = Blizzard Pearl)
- GM: Three-four characters (e.g., "WA8867" = Summit White, "GAZ" = Summit White on newer models)
- Honda/Acura: Two-three characters (e.g., "NH-731P" = Crystal Black Pearl)
Pro tip: Take a photo of your door jamb sticker with paint code visible before visiting a body
shop or auto parts store for touch-up paint. Color names like "Silver" or "Blue" aren't specific enough—the
code ensures exact factory color match.
9. Interior Trim Code
Some manufacturers list interior color/material codes, useful for finding matching replacement parts (seats,
door panels, carpet). Example codes:
- Ford: "BA" = Ebony Black cloth, "CA" = Medium Light Stone leather
- GM: "19I" = Jet Black leather, "50U" = Light Ash Gray cloth
10. Certification Statement
Legal text stating the vehicle complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) in effect on the
manufacture date. U.S.-spec vehicles show compliance with U.S. standards; Canadian vehicles may show dual
compliance with U.S. and Canadian standards (CMVSS).
Gray market imports: Vehicles manufactured for foreign markets may lack this certification or
show non-U.S. compliance codes, making them ineligible for U.S. registration without expensive modifications
and crash testing.
Manufacturer-Specific Sticker Variations
Ford, Lincoln, Mercury
Ford labels include a "Type" code (passenger car, MPV, truck) and a bar code scannable by Ford diagnostic tools.
The paint code is typically in the bottom section labeled "EXT PNT" or "PAINT."
General Motors (Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac)
GM uses a "Service Parts Identification" sticker in addition to the certification label. This separate sticker
(often inside the glove box) lists option codes (example: "G80" = limited-slip differential, "K5L" = heating
package). These RPO codes are critical for ordering correct replacement parts.
Toyota, Lexus
Toyota's certification label includes the production week/year and a QR code on newer models (2018+). Scanning
the QR code with Toyota's mobile app shows complete build specifications including factory-installed options.
Honda, Acura
Honda lists paint code and interior trim code on separate lines. The VIN is displayed with spaces for readability
(every 4 digits). Honda also prints the transmission type code on the door jamb label.
European Manufacturers (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Audi)
European brands often place the certification label on the B-pillar (door jamb) but add separate build data
stickers in the trunk, spare tire well, or under the hood. Paint codes may be listed as "Lack" or "Farbe"
followed by a 3-4 digit code.
Common Questions About Door Jamb Stickers
Can I replace a damaged or missing door jamb sticker?
Yes, but replacement must be done by a certified dealer using official manufacturer stickers. Aftermarket
replacement stickers may not be legal in all states and could trigger fraud concerns during title transfers.
Contact your vehicle's manufacturer customer service to order a replacement—provide your VIN and proof of
ownership. Cost typically ranges from $15-50 plus dealer installation.
Why doesn't my door jamb tire pressure match what my dealer recommends?
Dealers sometimes recommend higher pressures for fuel economy or handling improvements, but the door jamb
pressure is the manufacturer's official spec for safety certification. You can safely operate up to 5 PSI
higher for better fuel economy or performance driving, but going below the door jamb spec reduces load capacity
and may cause tire damage.
What if my door jamb sticker is in a foreign language?
Vehicles manufactured for non-U.S. markets may have stickers in other languages (French for Canadian models,
German/Japanese/etc. for gray market imports). Key data like VIN, GVWR, tire pressure, and paint codes follow
international standards and can be interpreted with reference guides. However, vehicles without English/U.S.
certification statements may not be legally registered in the U.S. without DOT/EPA compliance modifications.
Does the door jamb sticker show which features my car has?
The basic certification label shows only core safety specs (VIN, weights, tire data, paint code). Some
manufacturers include option codes on the same sticker or on separate labels in the glove box, trunk, or
service parts sticker. Decoding your full VIN at Snap.VIN reveals
factory-spec equipment including engine, transmission, drivetrain, and major option packages.
