GM SPID Label Explained
The SPID (Service Parts Identification) label is the paper sticker GM puts in the glovebox of most Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac vehicles. It repeats the VIN, shows the paint code and lists the three-character RPO codes the vehicle was built with — often 50 or more, standard equipment included — so parts counters can order the right parts.
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Where to find the SPID label
- • Glovebox — inside the door or on the inner wall, on most modern GM cars, trucks and SUVs.
- • Center console — some models put it in the console storage compartment.
- • Trunk lid or spare-tire cover — common on older cars, and on some performance cars.
- • Owner’s manual — the index entry “Service Parts Identification Label” gives the location for that model.
It is not the door-jamb sticker. The driver-side door-jamb label is the federal certification label (VIN, build date, weight ratings) and the tire placard; neither lists RPO codes.
What's printed on it
| Part of the label | What it shows | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| VIN | The full 17-character VIN, matching the windshield and door-jamb VIN. | Confirm it matches — a glovebox swapped from another vehicle carries the wrong label. |
| Model designation | GM’s internal model/body code on many labels. | Useful to a parts counter; rarely needed by a shopper. |
| RPO codes | Rows of three-character codes (letters and numbers) for the equipment the vehicle was built with, standard and optional. | Scan for the codes that matter — engine, packages, axle, locker — and decode them with the RPO reference. |
| Paint information | Exterior color code (often an RPO-style code such as GAZ) and, on many years, a WA paint number. | Use it when ordering touch-up paint or checking a respray. |
How to read the RPO codes
Each RPO is three characters. They are printed in rows with no grouping, so read the whole label and pick out the codes that change what the vehicle is. On a full-size GM truck, a short illustrative set of the codes worth finding might look like this (from the GM RPO code reference):
| RPO | Meaning | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| L87 | 6.2L V8 (EcoTec3) | Engine — the first thing to confirm |
| NHT | Max Trailering Package | Changes the tow rating |
| Z71 | Off-Road Package | Off-road suspension and protection |
| G80 | Automatic Locking Rear Differential | Driveline / traction |
| GT4 | Rear Axle, 3.73 Ratio | Towing and acceleration |
| GAZ | Summit White (paint) | Exterior color |
- • Codes are reused across eras. LT1 was a 1970 small-block order code and is also the modern Gen V 6.2L — read every code together with the model year.
- • Most codes are routine. Emissions, radio, labels and standard equipment fill most of the label; the value is in a handful of package, engine and driveline codes.
- • Check the VIN on the label. If it doesn't match the vehicle, the glovebox was swapped and the label isn't this vehicle's.
SPID label vs build sheet vs window sticker
The SPID label lists every RPO on the vehicle, including standard equipment, without prices. The window sticker (Monroney label) lists the factory-installed options and packages in plain English with prices — try the free Chevrolet window sticker by VIN lookup first. A CarWhere build sheet returns the RPO codes for the options and packages the vehicle was ordered with — the codes that set one build apart from another — when the build data includes them. It is not a reprint of the full SPID label. All the routes are compared in how to find GM options by VIN.
Label missing or faded?
Enter the VIN on the Chevrolet build sheet page. The availability check is free; you pay $9.99 only if detailed build data exists for that vehicle.
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FAQ
What is the SPID label on a GM vehicle?
SPID stands for Service Parts Identification. It is a paper label GM applies at the factory — usually inside the glovebox — that repeats the VIN and lists the three-character RPO (Regular Production Option) codes the vehicle was built with, plus paint information. Parts counters and technicians use it to order the right parts.
Where is the SPID label located?
On most modern Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac vehicles it is on the inside of the glovebox door or glovebox wall. Some older or specific models put it in the center console, on the trunk lid or spare-tire cover, or elsewhere — check the owner’s manual index under “Service Parts Identification Label.”
Does the SPID label list every option?
It lists the RPO codes for the vehicle, including standard equipment — often 50 or more codes on a recent truck or SUV. The codes are not grouped or ranked, so the handful that matter (engine, packages, axle) sit among dozens of routine ones.
What if my SPID label is missing or unreadable?
Labels fade, peel or get lost when a glovebox is replaced. A dealer can usually look up the vehicle’s factory records by VIN. A CarWhere build sheet returns the RPO codes for the options and packages the vehicle was ordered with when the build data includes them — not a reprint of every standard-equipment code on the label.
Is the paint code on the SPID label?
Yes. GM prints paint information on the SPID label — on many years an RPO-style color code (for example GAZ, Summit White) alongside a WA paint number. The Chevrolet paint code reference decodes common ones.
Sources
- Chevrolet owner’s manual (2009 Silverado 2500 Pickup) — Service Parts Identification Label — label inside the glovebox; used when ordering parts
- 49 CFR § 567.4 — Requirements for manufacturers of motor vehicles (certification label) — what the door-jamb label must show
- 15 U.S.C. § 1232 — Automobile Information Disclosure Act (Monroney label contents) — window sticker must list manufacturer-installed optional equipment and prices
- CarWhere GM RPO code reference — RPO code names
- CarWhere Chevrolet paint codes — GAZ and other GM color codes
- CarWhere GM RPO codes by VIN — ordered-option RPOs vs the SPID label
This CarWhere build sheet is reconstructed from available VIN-level build data. It is not an official Chevrolet Monroney label or factory certificate.
Related GM resources
- Chevrolet build sheet by VIN
- GM RPO codes by VIN
- GM RPO code reference
- Chevrolet window sticker by VIN
- Chevrolet VIN decoder
- Chevrolet specs by model and year
- Chevrolet research hub
- Chevrolet engines
- Chevrolet history
- Corvette build sheet by VIN
Build sheet by model
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- Chevrolet Silverado HD build sheet
- Chevrolet Tahoe build sheet
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- GMC Sierra 1500 build sheet
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