Regulations require that all 2005 and subsequent model year vehicles shall have the Vehicle Identification Number(VIN) available in a standardized format through the standardized data link connector in accordance with SAE J1979 specifications. Using a GDS, PERFORM "VIN WRITING" procedure after replacing or reflashing a PCM.

VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a number that has the vehicle's information (Maker, Vehicle Type, Vehicle Line/Series, Body Type, Engine Type, Transmission Type, Model Year, Plant Location and so forth.