Category: Renault

The “Oval Plate” is a key part of establishing the features and equipment fitted to any Renault.  It has been used by Renault since 1909 and has evolved over the years from an oval shaped plaque in the engine compartment to a decal applied inside the right-hand door opening (Front or Rear).

By using a combination of your VIN Number and “Oval Plate” data you can use the Dialogys software to determine part numbers, directly read paint and a trim codes or just be mystified about what it all means.

In this post I’ve gathered together as much of the late-model decoding information I can find!

Where is the Oval Plate?

On post 1995 models the Oval Plate relocated from the engine compartment to the door openings on the right-hand side of the vehicle.   The plate can be in either the front or rear door opening.

 

Decoding

Divided into a table of 12 code blocks and integrated with (or next to) a decal giving the vehicle VIN number and load information (model dependent).

Vehicle Type		Build Sequence
Equipment Level	Equipment Code	Limited Edition
Paint Code	Seat Trim Code	Interior Trim Code
Technical Country Code	Extra 1	Extra 2

1. Vehicle Type

The vehicle type consists of 4 characters and under most conditions is the same as the 4-7th characters of the VIN.  If your car is a limited edition then the last two characters of the vehicle type are likely to be unique.

2. Build Sequence

This identifies the specific vehicle in the production run.  When using Dialogys this value ensures the correct revision parts are shown.  Dialogys includes options to use Build Month & Year to “guess” this value.

The first character typically indicates the production plant or country:

A	Portugal	K	Dieppe
B	Batilly (RVI)	N	Mexico
C	Creil	Q	Amercian Motor Corportaion
D	Douai	R	Bursa (Turkey)
E	Spain	S	Sandouville
F	Flins	T	Romorantin (Matra Automobile)
G	Grand Couronne	U	Maubeuge (Spain)
G	Yugoslavia	W	Valladolid (Spain)
H	Haren (Belgium)	X	Heuliez
J	Billancourt	Y	Yugoslavia
K	Dieppe	Z	U.S.A.

3. Equipment Level

4. Equipment Code

5. Limited Edition

6. Paint Code

The first two characters “TE” may be part of the paint code, but most common references for Renault colours use the last 3 characters.  Some colours may be encoded differently with different year models but have the same name.  Always use the code on the Oval Plate when ordering paints.

7. Seat Trim Code

This code combines a description and colour code.  The description is the first 4 characters while the last two represent the colour:

TICU: Mixed upholstery fabric & leather
DRAP: Upholstery cloth / velvet
CUIR: Full leather

8. Interior Trim Code

This is a 4 character prefix with a numerical code.  “HARM” for Inner Harmony.

9. Technical Legislative Country Code

This code indicates the Country that the vehicle was to be exported or sold in.  In most cases this is used to indicate that the vehicle was built to comply with the particular vehicle standards for that country.

This can be numeric or a 4 character code preceded by “TL”.

10. Extra 1

This is actually 4 unique codes joined together.  Currently being investigated.

Letter 1: Type of suspension (A = normal (non-reinforced) – B = reinforced)
Letter 2: Type climate of the country (C = temperate countries) – (D = Cold country)
Letter 3: Air conditioning type (H = auto Clim) – (G = normal Clim) – (F = Not Clim)
Letter 4: Engine Type Filtration (K = without pre-filter)

11. Extra 2

This is actually 4 unique codes joined together.  Currently being Investigated.

Letter 5: Steering type (N = normal steering) (P = Parametric)
Letter 6: Type dampers (R = no variable dampers)
Letter 7: Trim System (T = without correction)
Letter 8: Braking (ABS with W =) (V = without ABS)