Finding Your Toyota's Paint Code: A Step-By-Step Guide

Toyota has made it easy for car owners to find their vehicle's paint code. The paint code is typically located on the VIN plate or label, also known as the colour ID plate, on the driver's door jamb or door pillar. It can also be found inside the engine compartment. The code is three characters long, starting with the letters C/TR, followed by a combination of numbers and letters. This code is essential when ordering the correct paint for touch-ups and repairs.

Finding the paint code on the VIN sticker

The paint code will be prefixed by "C/TR:" and is three characters long, consisting of a combination of numbers and letters. For example, "1G3" represents Magnetic Gray, while "212" stands for Obsidian.

On passenger cars, the VIN sticker can usually be found on the inside of the driver's door or on the door jamb. On trucks, vans, and Land Cruisers, the sticker is often located on the lower part of the driver's door pillar.

If you are unable to locate the VIN sticker in these areas, you can try calling Toyota customer support or contacting them via email. By providing them with your vehicle's details, they should be able to help you identify the correct paint code.

Additionally, some online resources offer extensive lists that can help you find the paint code for specific Toyota models. These resources may provide information on where to look for the VIN sticker and interpret the paint code.

Where to look based on your Toyota model

Toyota has placed the paint code in the same spot for every model and year. The paint code is a three-character alphanumeric code prefixed by "C/TR":".

On passenger cars, the ID label can be found on the inside of the driver's door. On trucks, vans, and Land Cruisers, the label is located on the lower part of the driver's door pillar. The paint code is the first three numbers/letters on the second line from the bottom.

On passenger cars, trucks, and Land Cruisers, the ID plate is located on or adjacent to the firewall within the engine compartment. On vans, the plate is located on the body, under a carpet flap directly below the front of the front passenger seat. The paint code is the first three numbers/letters on the bottom.

When looking at the VIN sticker on your Tacoma, the paint code is located on the left-hand side of the tag, right underneath the barcode.

Calling Toyota or a dealer with your VIN

If you have your VIN to hand, calling Toyota or a dealer is a quick way to find out your paint code. You can call Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. The dealer will be able to bring up your exact vehicle and tell you the colour code. You can also try calling the ERA Paints hotline on 971-770-2372 or emailing them at CustomerService@ERAPaints.com. Once you provide their staff with a few details about your vehicle, they will be able to identify the correct paint code.

If you cannot find the paint code on the VIN sticker, calling a dealer is a good next step. The dealer will be able to look up the VIN and tell you the paint code. You can also look up the paint code by VIN on Toyota's website with a free Toyota account. Enter your VIN to access information like the year your car was built, its colour, technical specifications, and optional equipment.

The VIN plate or label can be found in different locations depending on the type of vehicle. On passenger cars, the ID label is located on the inside of the driver's door. On trucks, vans, and land cruisers, the label is located on the lower part of the driver's door pillar. On passenger cars, trucks, and land cruisers, the ID plate is located on or adjacent to the firewall within the engine compartment. On vans, the plate is located on the body, under a carpet flap directly below the front of the front passenger seat.

The paint code is usually the first three numbers or letters on the second line from the bottom of the VIN sticker, or the first three numbers or letters on the bottom. The code will be prefixed by "C/TR:" and is three characters long.

Understanding the format of the paint code

Toyota has made it easy to find the colour code of your car. The paint code is a 3-digit combination of numbers and letters, located next to the "C/TR" inscription on the sticker. The code can be found on the colour ID plate on the driver's door jamb.

The colour code will be the first three numbers/letters on the second line from the bottom. You can ignore any letters or numbers that come after a slash. For example, in the code "1G3/FA09", the colour code is 1G3, and FA09 is an interior option code.

You can match this colour code with the codes on the website of the paint manufacturer or dealer. You can also call your dealer with your VIN, and they can tell you the colour code.

Toyota uses the same colour across many models and then has a different colour name for each model. This is why the colour code is important to order the correct paint.

Matching the colour code to the correct paint

To find the correct paint code for your Toyota, you can refer to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate or label, commonly known as the colour ID plate. The location of this plate varies depending on the vehicle type. For passenger cars, the ID label is usually found on the inside of the driver's door or on the door jamb. On trucks, vans, and Land Cruisers, the label is typically located on the lower part of the driver's door pillar. On passenger cars, trucks, and Land Cruisers, the ID plate can also be found within the engine compartment, near the firewall. For vans, the plate is often located under a carpet flap below the front passenger seat.

Once you locate the VIN plate or label, the colour code is typically the first three numbers or letters on the second line from the bottom or at the bottom of the plate or label. You may notice additional codes or characters on the plate, but these are typically interior option codes and can be disregarded when matching the colour code.

After obtaining the colour code, you can use online resources or consult a paint specialist to identify the corresponding paint colour. Online tools, such as those offered by TouchUpDirect, allow you to input your Toyota model and colour code to find the exact touch-up paint required for a perfect colour match.

Additionally, customer reviews of touch-up paint products can provide valuable insights into the accuracy of colour matching. Several customers have praised the colour match of their touch-up paint, ensuring that their vehicles retain their original appearance.

Frequently asked questions