General Motors Service Parts Identification Label Explained
If you drive a General Motors (Chevy, Saturn, GMC, Buick, Pontiac, Cadillac) vehicle and have ever attempted to search for parts for your vehicle, there is a real good possibility the sales person helping you asked you about your vehicle’s options codes. If you have never experienced this question then by reading this post you are probably wondering what in the world I’m talking about. Don’t worry that is the whole point of this post.
Since 1984, General Motors has placed service parts identification (SPID) labels on all of their vehicles. This label was designed to aid service and parts personnel in identifying parts and options originally installed on that specific vehicle. This label lists both Regular Production Option (RPO) and Regular Production Accessory (RPA) codes. These codes on your sticker will be identical to the specifications on your vehicle’s original build sheet from the factory. The codes found the tag are three digit combinations of letters and numbers. An example of one of these codes is FE3; this is a common suspension option code in GM vehicles.
Ok now that you know what your Service Parts Identification (SPID) tag is and does, it’s time to find it on your vehicle. Finding your SPID tag can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. The most common hiding places for this label are, in your glove box, on the inside of your trunk lid, and/or on the bottom side of the cover for you spare tire in your trunk. On some of the GM SUVs and mini-vans the SPID label will be located on one of the plastic storage covers in the rear of the vehicle. I’m currently working on a vehicle specific list of SPID locations that I will be posting at a later date.
It’s a good idea to know the location and understand how to read this sticker prior to ordering or inquiring about any parts for you GM vehicle. If you have any questions relating to General Motors Service Parts Identification (SPID) labels or any automotive parts questions, as always feel free to contact me at marksautoparts.socialmedia@gmail.com.
Example Of A GM SPID Label
I have a GMC P3500 Step van where do you think the sticker could be on it.
hi i do work at salvage yard and i do inventory parts the hollander system some times i get some gm cars and i found the sticker is gone
is there any way that i can get the information using the vin number or is there any website offer these information for membership fee
or any other charge
thank you
How do I decode my codes
Just bought a mint 1995 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Stationwagon, but the service parts identification label (at bottom of tailgate post) is unreadable; is there another location on the vehicle… or a site where I can learn what is installed in my car?
Thank you,
Ray Muise
Dartmouth Nova Scotia
I have a 2008 honda civic lx i have been looking everywhere but i can’t find it do you where can i find it?
Actually these tagshave been around much longer. My 1980 GMC Vandura 35 has a large Service Parts Identification Label on the underside of the hood. And if my memory is correct, so did my 1975 20 series ChevyVan.