How to read a new car window sticker
If you've ever been to a car dealership, you've seen the new car window decal. The new car window decal exists for all new cars and provides potential buyers with all the information they need about the particular car they have chosen…
If you've ever been to a car dealership, you've seen the new car window decal. The new car window sticker exists for all new cars and gives potential buyers all the information they need about the particular car they are considering. While most people look at window stickers to see the price of a car, the sticker also contains mileage information, safety information, a list of all included options and features, and even where the car was made.
While different dealerships orient their stickers to new car windows differently, each sticker must by law contain the same information. Once you have received the introductory information, this information will be very easy to find and process, which will greatly facilitate the process of buying a new car.
Part 1 of 2: Vehicle Information and Pricing
Step 1: Find information about the model. Find basic information about the car model.
The model information is always at the top of a new car's window decal, usually in a different color than the rest of the information.
The model information segment contains the year, model and style of the vehicle in question, as well as the engine size and transmission type. Exterior and interior colors will also be included.
- Functions: If you are planning to personalize your car, the new car window decal will help you find the exact name of the interior or exterior color you are looking for.
Step 2: Find information about standard equipment. Look on the sticker for some of the information about the standard equipment.
Information about standard equipment is usually located under the information about the model.
In the standard equipment information section, you will find all the standard features included in this vehicle. These features are built into the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). They are included in all packages at no additional cost.
- Functions: If you are interested in the vehicle, it is recommended to scan the standard equipment page to see what features come with the vehicle.
Step 3: Find Warranty Information. Locate the warranty information segment, usually located next to the standard equipment information.
In the Warranty Information section, you will find all the basic warranties available for your vehicle. This will include your full warranty as well as warranties relating to certain parts of your vehicle.
- FunctionsA: The warranties shown on the window sticker of a new car are included with your car at no additional charge. However, some dealerships will let you purchase more intensive warranty packages if you want more thorough maintenance.
Step 4: Find information about accessories. Locate the piece of information about optional equipment, usually located below the information about standard equipment.
The optional equipment information segment contains all the optional features that the model you are viewing has. These features are not available on all models. This equipment can range from small features like license plate brackets to large options like luxury sound systems.
The price of that feature is listed next to each piece of optional equipment, so you can determine if it's worth the extra price for the included features.
- FunctionsA: Not all extra features cost extra money, however, most of them do.
Step 5: Find information about the contents of the parts. Locate the detail content information segment.
The parts information segment tells you where your vehicle was manufactured. This can help you determine how domestic or foreign a vehicle is.
- Functions: Some domestically made vehicles and components are actually made overseas, while some foreign made vehicles and components are made in the United States.
Step 6: Find Price Information. Find the part of the price sticker.
The price information segment is located next to the information about standard and optional equipment. In the price information portion of a new car's window sticker, you'll find the car's base MSRP, as well as the total cost of your options, and often the shipping cost.
Beneath these numbers you will find the total MSRP, which is the total price you will have to pay for the car.
- FunctionsA: While the MSRP is the price of the vehicle as is, you can often negotiate a lower price while at the dealership.
Part 2 of 2: Mileage and Safety Information
Step 1: Find Fuel Economy Information. Look for some of the fuel economy information on the window sticker of your new car.
Information about fuel economy is usually found on the side decal on the windscreen of a new car. The fuel label shows the approximate mileage of the vehicle as determined by the EPA.
This part also contains the average annual fuel cost based on vehicle mileage (and average annual miles driven by the average driver), as well as how much more or less money you spend on fuel on average than the person with the car who gets the average mileage.
Finally, this part contains the greenhouse gas and smog ratings for the car.
Step 2: Find the QR Code. Find the QR code on the sticker.
The QR code can be found directly below the fuel information sticker. A QR code is a pixelated square that can be scanned with a smartphone and will take you to the EPA mobile website. From there, you can see how the car's mileage will affect you, given your driving statistics and preferences.
Step 3: Find Safety Ratings. Locate the safety rating part of the new car window decal.
The safety ratings segment can usually be found in the lower right corner of a new car's window sticker. This part of the sticker lists the vehicle's safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The NHTSA assesses driver frontal crash safety, passenger frontal crash safety, front seat side crash safety, rear seat side crash safety, entire vehicle rollover safety, and overall safety.
Many new car window stickers also have safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Traffic Safety (IIHS). The IIHS evaluates side impact, rear impact, roof strength, and frontal offset.
Functions: NHTSA rates safety on a star system, with one star being the worst and five stars being the best. The IIHS rates safety as "good", "acceptable", "marginal", or "poor".
A warning: Vehicles are sometimes released before safety ratings have been assigned. If this applies to the vehicle you are looking at, the safety ratings will be listed as "For Evaluation".
Once you learn how to read a new car window decal, you will find that it is very easy to navigate. Knowing how to read them can help you quickly skim through the stickers and find the information you need, making buying a car much faster and more enjoyable. Have one of AvtoTachki's certified technicians perform a pre-purchase inspection to make sure the vehicle is in the stated condition.
