How to find your car radio's serial number

To retrieve your unlock code, we need to identify your exact radio — usually by its serial number. There are two common ways to find it, plus some brands that use your VIN instead.

Method 1 — on-screen button combination

Many radios can display their own serial number on screen. The button combo varies by brand. A few examples:

• Honda & Acura: hold presets 1 and 6 while turning the radio on; an 8–10 character serial appears.
• GM / Saturn (TheftLock): with the ignition on and the radio showing LOC, press and hold presets 2 & 3 (or 1 & 4) to reveal a serial number.
• Volkswagen, Toyota and others: the serial may appear briefly on power-up, or be printed on the unit.

Method 2 — the label on the radio

Every factory radio has a sticker on its case listing the model and serial number. Reading it means removing the radio from the dash, which requires the right trim tools. The serial usually starts with a few letters followed by digits.

Brands that use your VIN instead

For some makes — including Daewoo, Dodge/Chrysler, Jaguar and Land Rover — we retrieve the code from your 17-character VIN, so there's no need to remove the radio at all.

Not sure which applies to you? Pick your brand and the order page tells you exactly what to send. Already have your code and just need to enter it? See our unlock manuals.