my aticles box

The first Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) designed for vehicles were not standardized. However that problem was resolved beginning in 1981, when vehicles were assigned an International VIN code which consists of 17 characters (which cannot include the letter I, O or Q) unique to each vehicle.

The Vehicle Identification Number is most commonly found inside the windshield or drivers side door jam.

Once the VIN has been decoded, it can be used to verify vehicle information such as the Country in which it was manufactured, Manufacturer, Body Style, Engine Type, Model, Model Year and more. There are several sites on the Internet that will help you decode the VIN number for the different manufacturers, such as BMW, Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge to just mention a few.

Additionally, with the VIN of a vehicle you have opportunities to find out many different things about the vehicle. Such as:

---You can visit CARFAX for a report on that specific vehicle. CARFAX will give you a history of the vehicle, whether its been identified as a "lemon," salvaged title, whether it has been in a major accident, if its a flood damaged vehicle, if theres been odometer fraud, plus many other things based on the information that is available to them.

--- You can check out the latest information on compliance testing, recalls and technical service bulletins from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The list goes on.

The coding is as follows:

1st character- Identifies the country in which the vehicle was manufactured.

For example: U.S.A.(1or4), Canada(2), Mexico(3), Japan(J), Korea(K), England(S), Germany(W), Italy(Z)

2nd character- Identifies the manufacturer.

For example; Audi (A), BMW (B), Buick (4), Cadillac (6), Chevrolet (1), Chrysler (C), Dodge (B), Ford (F), GM Canada (7), General Motors (G), Honda (H), Jaguar (A), Lincoln (L), Mercedes Benz (D), Mercury (M), Nissan (N), Oldsmobile (3), Pontiac (2or5), Plymouth (P), Saturn (8), Toyota (T), VW (V), Volvo (V).

3rd character - Identifies vehicle type or manufacturing division.

4th to 8th characters - Identifies vehicle features such as body style, engine type, model, series, etc.

9th character - Identifies VIN accuracy as check digit.

10th character- Identifies the model year.

11th character- Identifies the assembly plant for the vehicle.

12th to 17th characters- Identifies the sequence of the vehicle for production as it rolled of the manufacturers assembly line.

When you go on holiday it can be really hard to keep yourself cool and look great at the same time. Many women opt for a sun dress to do this but these can sometimes be too fussy and are difficult to put on and take off around the pool. One item of clothing that is really popular as cruisewear with women of all ages is a kaftan.

Unlike a sarong or a sun dress a kaftan is usually made out of much lighter material, which means that the wearer stays cooler for longer. There is also the added attraction that a kaftan is meant to be worn quite large, so there should be plenty of material to spare on it. This means that the woman who is wearing it will not feel as though she is in a garment that is too tight or restrictive. A kaftan looks very much like a dress which has sleeves and is made from very light and airy material. This makes them perfect for wearing in hot weather as they do not overheat the wearer or make them feel as though they have too much on.

As a kaftan is so easy to put on and take off it is the ideal type of clothing to wear around the pool. You simply slip it on like a night dress and take it off in the same way. As they are made from light material they will also dry out quickly if they become wet. So there is no problem if you get splashed by someone in the pool.

A kaftan can come with long or short sleeves and it is down to the individual to decide which style they prefer. In addition to this there are even kaftans that are available which can be worn at night time. This type of kaftan will tend to be in a pretty printed material and they sometimes have jewelled necklines to add a further touch of glamour. If you are planning on wearing such a garment at night it is a good idea to wear a suitable slip underneath as they can tend to be a little see through.

You can even get a smaller kaftan to fit your children. Most children love to be dressed in these brightly patterned garments and they also help to protect a child from the rays of the sun. So it is a good idea to get your child to wear a kaftan if they are in the hot sun whilst you are on holiday. This type of resortwear is hugely popular right now and plenty of children will wear such an outfit whilst they are on holiday.

Regardless of whether you want a kaftan for cruisewear or resortwear they are great to pack in your suitcase. They do not weigh much and you can pack plenty in even a small holdall. So if you want to look good and keep cool while you are on holiday you should opt for a kaftan.