FEDERAL THEFT PREVENTION STANDARD (ANTI-THEFT LABELING)

SUBJECT: FEDERAL VEHICLE THEFT PREVENTION STAND DETERRENT MARKING OR LABELING)

This bulletin is being revised to add notification of FMVSR 541 and 542, to change anti-theft to theft deterrent, and to clarify bulletin purpose.

This bulletin is written to include 1991 model year information concerning Cadillac vehicles which are exempt from the parts marking requirements of the theft prevention standard FMVSR 541 and 542. The purpose of this theft prevention standard is to deter and reduce vehicle theft and to facilitate the tracing and recovery of stolen vehicle parts. Some of the labels are readily visible, while accessibility to others requires some maneuvering by the investigator or some repositioning or removal of trim and/or parts.

Beginning with the 1987 model year, federal law required General Motors to mark or label certain parts on DeVilles, Fleetwoods, Broughams, Eldorados, and Sevilles with the Vehicle Identification Number or, in the case of the engine and transmission transaxle, the VIN derivative. These parts include:

o Engine and transmission/transaxle (to be stamped) o Front and rear bumper assemblies o Hood o Right and left* front doors o Right and left rear doors o Right and left rear quarter panels o Right and left front tenders o Rear compartment lid

* Certification label on driver's door qualifies as theft prevention label.

Beginning with the 1988 model year, Cadillac Allantes were exempted from parts marking. Fleetwoods and DeVilles were also granted a partial exemption beginning with the 1991 model year; due to this partial exemption, only the engine and transaxle must be labeled. The certification label is still required as it is covered by a different regulation. The engine and the transmission/transaxle are always identified by the VIN derivative due to state laws. Exemptions from parts marking do not apply to previous model year carlines. Therefore, the theft prevention labels on 1987-1990 Fleetwoods and DeVilles must continue to be safeguarded in the same manner as those of other vehicle which are subject to the parts marking requirements.

The label containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN derivative as applicable, is required to be permanently affixed to a designated location on the part surface. are also required to have labels affixed to them. Replacement parts labels must be imprinted with the letter "R", the manufacturer's trademark (GM logo), and the letters "DOT"; however the imprinting or labeling on replacement parts must be done in locations different from those designated for OEM parts.

These federal vehicle theft prevention labels ARE NOT TO BE REMOVED, DEFACED ALTERED, OR COVERED OVER. They must also be masked prior to any painting, rustproofing, undercoating, etc. The mask MUST then be removed following such operations. Failure to keep the labels clean and readable may result in liability proceedings for violation of the Federal Vehicle Theft Prevention Act and subject the owner or operator to possible criminal investigation or suspicion of vehicle theft (dealer prep included).

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.