How to Tell if Your Vehicle Has a 4-Cylinder or 6-Cylinder Engine

The fastest way to know is to check your owner’s manual or decode your VIN (the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number) on an official site; many under-hood labels and the engine cover also indicate whether it’s a 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder. If you look under the hood, a 4-cylinder typically has one straight bank of cylinders (inline-4), while a 6-cylinder often has two angled banks forming a “V” (V6). Below is a clear, step-by-step rundown of reliable methods, what each means, and pitfalls to avoid.

Quick ways to confirm without tools

You can usually verify your engine’s cylinder count in minutes using documents and labels you already have, plus a trusted VIN decoder. These checks are straightforward and don’t require mechanical know-how.

• Owner’s manual or service booklet: The “Specifications” or “Engine” section usually lists engine size and cylinder count (e.g., 2.5L I4, 3.6L V6).
• Under-hood emissions label (VECI): Look for the “Vehicle Emission Control Information” sticker. It often lists engine displacement and, on some models, the number of cylinders. It will at least confirm engine family and size.
• Engine cover or fender badges: Many vehicles have “V6,” “I4,” or the engine size on the plastic engine cover or exterior badging. “I4” means inline 4; “V6” means six cylinders in a V configuration.
• VIN decoding: The 8th character identifies the engine option for your exact build. Use an official or reputable decoder (e.g., NHTSA’s VIN Decoder) to translate it into engine type and cylinder count.
• Registration/insurance documents: Some DMVs and insurers list the engine type or cylinder count alongside engine size on your paperwork.
• Window sticker or build sheet: If available, a Monroney label (new vehicles) or a manufacturer build sheet via VIN will list the exact engine.

For most drivers, two independent confirmations (e.g., VIN decoding plus the manual or under-hood label) are sufficient to be certain whether the car is a 4- or 6-cylinder.

Using the VIN (what the 8th character really means)

The VIN uniquely identifies your vehicle’s configuration. Automakers encode the specific engine in the 8th character, but you must decode it—don’t guess. Official decoders and manufacturer portals can translate the code to a plain-language engine description with cylinder count.

1. Locate your VIN: It’s on the dashboard plate at the base of the windshield (driver’s side), the driver’s door jamb label, your insurance card, or registration.
2. Decode it: Use the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s free tool at https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/. Enter the full VIN and review the engine section (often shows displacement and “Cylinders”).
3. Cross-check with the automaker: Many brands let you look up build info by VIN in their owner portals. The 8th character maps to their internal engine code, which the site will translate to “I4,” “V6,” etc.
4. Verify consistency: Ensure displacement (e.g., 2.0L, 3.5L) and cylinder count match across sources. If there’s a mismatch, rely on the manufacturer’s data or a dealer printout.

Once decoded properly, the VIN removes doubt, especially for models sold with both 4- and 6-cylinder options in the same year.

Visual inspection under the hood

If you prefer to look for yourself, several visual cues can distinguish a 4-cylinder from a 6-cylinder. These are reliable once you know what to look for, but mind the caveats below.

• Count cylinder banks: Most 4-cylinders are inline (one straight row of cylinders, one valve cover). Many 6-cylinders are V6 (two angled banks with two valve covers). If you clearly see two banks forming a “V,” it’s almost certainly a V6.
• Look at intake/exhaust layout: A V6 typically has intake runners centered with exhaust manifolds on both sides; an inline-4 usually has intake on one side, exhaust on the other, all in one row.
• Coil or spark-plug boots: Gasoline engines generally have one ignition coil/boot per cylinder. If you count four coils in a row, likely a 4-cylinder; six coils split across two banks suggests a V6. Caveat: some engines use two plugs per cylinder (“twin-spark”), which can mislead.
• Stampings and labels: Some engines have “2.5L I4” or “3.6L V6” molded into the cover or stamped near the timing cover. Check for those markings.
• Orientation clues: Many front-wheel-drive cars with 4-cyl engines mount the engine transversely as a single bank across the bay; a transverse V6 still shows two separate banks.

When in doubt, combine visual cues with a VIN decode or the emissions label to confirm; that eliminates edge-case misreads like twin-spark or unusual layouts.

Safety note before inspecting

Basic precautions will keep you safe while looking under the hood.

• Turn the engine off and let it cool—components and exhaust parts can be hot.
• Avoid loose clothing and jewelry; keep hands clear of belts and fans.
• Use a flashlight for better visibility and don’t touch electrical connectors unnecessarily.

A quick, cautious look is all that’s needed; there’s no reason to disassemble anything just to count cylinders.

Common pitfalls and caveats

A few misconceptions frequently trip people up. Knowing them saves time and prevents misidentification.

• Turbos and badges: “Turbo” or “T” does not change cylinder count; many turbo engines are 4-cylinders, but turbos also appear on 6- and 8-cylinder engines.
• Dual spark plugs: Some gasoline engines use two plugs per cylinder (e.g., certain Alfa Romeo, Chrysler Hemi). Counting plugs alone can overstate cylinder count.
• Diesels: They use glow plugs (or none visible) rather than standard spark plugs, so plug counting doesn’t apply. Use the VIN and labels.
• Other cylinder counts exist: Some vehicles have 3, 5, 8, 10, or 12 cylinders. If your model sounds unusual for a 4 or 6, confirm with the VIN.
• Online listings: Dealer or marketplace ads can be wrong. Treat them as preliminary and verify with official sources.

If anything seems inconsistent—like a listing that says “V6” but a single inline bank under the hood—trust official documentation and a VIN decode.

Why cylinder count matters

Knowing whether you have a 4- or 6-cylinder engine helps with ownership decisions and expectations about performance and costs.

• Maintenance and parts: Oil capacity, spark plugs, belts, and filters can differ across engines in the same model line.
• Performance and towing: 6-cylinders typically offer more power and towing capacity; 4-cylinders often prioritize efficiency.
• Fuel economy and insurance: Cylinder count can correlate with fuel use and, in some regions, insurance classifications.
• Resale and compatibility: Correctly listing your engine helps with resale value and ensures you buy compatible parts and accessories.

While cylinder count isn’t the only factor—displacement, induction, and tuning matter too—it’s a key spec to get right.

Useful links for verification

These resources help translate your VIN and confirm the engine information tied to your exact vehicle.

• NHTSA VIN Decoder (U.S.): https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/
• Your manufacturer’s owner portal: Search “[Brand] VIN lookup” or log into your brand’s owner site for a build sheet.
• Window sticker/build sheet services: Some automakers (and reputable third parties) provide a copy of the Monroney label or build sheet via VIN.

If you can’t find clarity online, a dealership service department can print the build data from your VIN in minutes.

Summary

To determine if your vehicle is a 4- or 6-cylinder, check the owner’s manual and decode your VIN using an official tool; confirm with the under-hood emissions label or engine cover markings. A quick visual inspection can also reveal whether you have a single inline bank (commonly 4-cylinder) or two angled banks (V6). Avoid common pitfalls like counting spark plugs on twin-spark engines, and rely on manufacturer or NHTSA data when in doubt.

How do I know if my car has a V6 engine?

To know if your car is a V6, you can check for a “V6” badge on the engine cover or exterior, count the spark plug wires or ignition coils (you should find six), or find the engine information on the vehicle’s documentation like the owner’s manual, registration, or build sheet. You can also use your car’s VIN or a car parts website to decode your specific engine details.
 
On the Engine Itself

• Look for badging: Many manufacturers place a “V6” or engine displacement (e.g., “3.8L V6”) on the engine’s plastic cover or the vehicle’s valve cover. 
• Count the spark plugs: If you open the hood, count the number of spark plug wires or ignition coils. A V6 engine will have six of them. 
• Observe the engine layout: V6 engines are arranged in a V shape, with three cylinders on each side. You’ll see three spark plug wires or intake tracts on each bank of the engine. 

Through Vehicle Documentation 

• Check the owner’s manual: This is a reliable source of information, including your engine’s specifications. 
• Look at your registration or title: Engine size and configuration information may be listed here. 
• Find the VIN: The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on your dashboard where it meets the windshield or on the driver’s side door jamb. You can use a VIN decoder, available on car parts websites, to find your engine details. 

Other Methods

• Use a car parts website: Opens in new tabInputting your car’s make, model, and year on a parts website will provide you with your specific engine details. 
• Listen to the engine sound: Opens in new tabWhile less precise, a skilled listener can often tell the difference between a 4-cylinder and a V6 by its smoother and sometimes louder sound. 

Is a 2.4 liter engine a 4-cylinder or 6 cylinder?

A 2.4-liter (2.4L) engine can be either a 4-cylinder or a 6-cylinder engine, as the “2.4L” refers to the engine’s total displacement (volume), not the number of cylinders it has. While 4-cylinder engines frequently have displacements in the 1.5–2.5 liter range, some 6-cylinder engines are also designed to be small and fall into this displacement category, like the original Nissan 240Z’s 2.4L inline-6. 
How to tell the difference:

• Check the vehicle’s owner’s manual: This is the most straightforward way to find out. 
• Look under the hood for the nomenclature: The engine compartment may have a label stating the cylinder count. 
• Use a VIN decoder: A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) decoder online can provide the exact specifications of your vehicle, including engine type. 
• Count the spark plugs: If it’s a gasoline engine, you can typically count the number of spark plugs. 

How do I check what cylinder my car is?

To find the cylinder count of your car, locate the VIN on your dashboard or driver’s side door jamb, then use it to look up your car’s specifications online or in your owner’s manual. Alternatively, open the hood to look for engine badging (like “V6”) or count the number of spark plug wires or coil packs, as there is typically one spark plug per cylinder. 
1. Check for Engine Badging 

• Look for V-shape: If you see “V6” or “V8” badging on the engine cover or a sticker under the hood, it tells you the number of cylinders arranged in a V. 
• Count cylinders visually: For an inline-four cylinder engine, you’ll see the cylinders arranged in a single line under the hood. For a V6 or V8, you’ll see two banks of cylinders. 

This video shows how to find engine badging and count spark plugs: 57sExpertVillage Leaf GroupYouTube · Dec 14, 2020
2. Use the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 

• Find the VIN: Opens in new tabThe 17-digit VIN is usually on the driver’s side of the dashboard, visible through the windshield. 
• Decode the VIN: Opens in new tabUse the VIN to find your car’s engine specs on websites like AutoZone.com. The eighth character of the VIN typically specifies the engine type. 

3. Refer to Your Owner’s Manual 

• Look for engine specifications: The owner’s manual contains detailed information about your engine, including the number of cylinders.

This video explains how to use your owner’s manual to find engine specifications: 51sSehinpeteYouTube · Dec 1, 2017
4. Count Spark Plugs or Coil Packs 

• Locate the spark plugs: In many cars, there is one spark plug for each cylinder. 
• Count the spark plugs: Count the number of spark plugs or their connected wires/coil packs under the engine cover to determine the cylinder count. 

How can I tell if my car is a 4-cylinder or 6 cylinder?

You can identify a 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder engine by checking for an engine cover badge (like “V6”), counting the spark plug wires or ignition coils (four for a 4-cylinder, six for a V6), or by checking your owner’s manual, vehicle title, or VIN for the engine specifications. Listening to the engine’s sound can also give a clue, with V6 engines typically sounding smoother and louder than 4-cylinder engines.
 
Under the Hood

• Look for badges: Many engine covers have a badge on top that specifies the engine type, such as “V6”. 
• Count spark plugs or ignition coils: A 4-cylinder engine has four spark plugs or ignition coils, while a 6-cylinder engine will have six. 
• Examine the engine block: A 4-cylinder engine will have cylinders arranged in a single line (an inline-four engine), while a V6 engine has its cylinders arranged in a “V” shape. 
• Check under the hood sticker: There is often a sticker on the underside of the hood or on the firewall with engine specifications. 

This video explains how to find your engine size from under the hood: 54sMegaMilesBenYouTube · Nov 15, 2021
Vehicle Documentation

• Check the owner’s manual: The owner’s manual for your vehicle will list the engine type. 
• Review your vehicle’s title or registration: The engine size is usually listed on these documents. 
• Use an online VIN decoder: You can enter your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into an online VIN decoder, which will provide detailed information about your engine and other specs. 

This video demonstrates how to use a VIN decoder to find your engine size: 49sMotor MatchupsYouTube · Sep 22, 2024
Sound 

• Listen to the engine: V6 engines often run smoother and louder than 4-cylinder engines, which can be a subtle indicator.