How Do I Know If I Have a Cadillac CTS 3.2-Liter or a 3.6-Liter V6 Engine?

The Cadillac CTS has been available since its introduction as a 2003 model. To decide whether your CTS has a 3.2-liter or 3.5-liter engine, you can decode the vehicle identification number (VIN), which not only identifies cars as an anti-theft measure but also tells you about general features of the car, such as engine type, factory of origin, and whether it accepts ethanol gas.

Instructions

1

Locate the VIN in the lower-right corner of the windshield, stamped or etched on a plate attached to the dashboard.

2

Ensure that the third character is a 6 to confirm it's a Cadillac.

3

Check that the fourth and fifth characters are DM, DN, DP, or DR to confirm that it's a CTS. These are for 2006 model. These two characters vary by year model. For example, the set for a 2003 model is DG, DM, DR, or DU.

4

Check the eighth character. J means the engine is a 3.1-liter V6. M and 8 both mean it's a 3.5-liter V6. 7 means it's a 3.6-liter V6. There is no GM 3.2-liter engine of any number of cylinders among 2006 models. For 2003 models, N indicates a 3.2-liter V6. There are no 3.6-liter engines for model year 2003.