Renault • Dacia • Ford
Find Your Car Radio Serial Number (Precode)
Radio locked? To get your code, you first need your VIN or the radio's serial number (precode). On Renault and Dacia, the VIN doesn't always work: we may not find the code for your VIN, or the radio may no longer be the original one. In that case, you need the radio serial number.
On many Renault, Dacia and Ford radios, you can see it on the screen by holding buttons 1 and 6. Below is how to find it, brand by brand.
Show the Serial Number on the Screen
Radio on, two buttons held, serial on the display. If your radio doesn't show it, read it from the label (steps further down).
CODE or 0000.1 and 6 together for a few seconds.A123. If nothing shows, try buttons 1 and 5.
CODE.1 and 6. 4500 RDS: hold 2 and 6. Keep holding until the display starts cycling through numbers.V or M followed by six digits, like V123456.Check the first character. On small displays a letter can look like a digit (an S can look like a 5). If you see the letter O in a Ford serial, it is the number zero.
Radio shows WAIT or LOCKED? The button combination may not work. Read the serial from the label instead.
Find Your Renault Radio Serial (Precode)
Renault and Dacia radios work the same way, so these steps also give you the Dacia radio precode. Start with the VIN. If it doesn't work, use the radio serial number.
CODE or 0000, hold buttons 1 and 6 for a few seconds. The precode appears: one letter and three digits, like A123.1 and 5. Radios without preset buttons may not show it on screen.SECURITY or at the end of the number under the barcode. The full serial often starts with 7700, 8200, 2811 or T0.
Radio replaced? If the radio isn't the one fitted at the factory, a code based on the VIN won't work on it. Use the serial number printed on the label of the radio that's in the car now.
Take care when removing the radio. Use proper release keys, pull the radio out only as far as you need to read the label, and don't pry at the dashboard. If it doesn't slide out easily, stop and check the removal steps for your model.
Ford Serial Number Location
Ford codes are generated from the radio serial number, not from the VIN. The serial is a letter (V or M) followed by six digits. Many radios show it on the screen. Others have to come out of the dash.
CODE.1 and 6. 4500 RDS: hold 2 and 6. On some Sony MP3 and RDS models, 2 and 6 works instead. Keep holding until the display starts cycling through numbers.V or M followed by six digits, like V123456 or M123456.
V or M plus six digits. On TravelPilot units it usually starts with C7 or BP.
No code on newer Fords. Ford radios built into the dashboard system from about 2016 don't ask for a code, so there is no serial to look up.
Take care when removing the radio. Use proper release keys and don't force it. If the radio doesn't slide out easily, stop and check the removal steps for your model so you don't damage the dashboard.
VIN vs Radio Serial Number
They are two different numbers. One identifies the car, the other identifies the radio. Use the right one when you request your code.
17 characters, letters and digits, that identify the car.
Base of the windshield (driver's side), driver's door pillar or the vehicle registration document. On some models also in the engine bay.
You have a Renault or Dacia with the radio it left the factory with.
A number on the radio itself. It identifies that radio, not the car.
On the radio display (button combination) or on the label of the casing.
Renault and Dacia precode: one letter and three digits, like A123. Ford: V or M plus six digits, like V123456.
The VIN doesn't work, the radio was replaced, or you have a Ford.
Wrong number, wrong code. A code made from the VIN fits the radio the car left the factory with. If the radio was swapped, use the serial number on its label. Ford codes always come from the radio serial number.
Remove the Radio Safely
You only need to see the label, not take the whole radio out of the car. Go slowly and use release keys, not screwdrivers.
Don't pry at the dashboard. If the radio doesn't come out easily, stop. Check the removal steps for your exact model or ask a workshop, so you don't damage the trim.
No holes or slots on the front? Some radios and navigation units are removed differently. Look up the removal steps for your car's model and year before you start.
Got your serial number or VIN? For Renault and Dacia, use your VIN or radio serial. For Ford, use the radio serial number:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find my car radio serial number?
On many Renault, Dacia and Ford radios, it shows on the display. With the radio on and showing CODE, hold buttons 1 and 6 (2 and 6 on a Ford 4500 RDS). If nothing shows, read the label on the radio casing. For that, take the radio out of the dashboard with release keys.
What is the difference between the VIN and the radio serial number?
The VIN is the 17-character number that identifies the car. You find it at the base of the windshield, on the door pillar or in the registration document. The radio serial number is on the radio itself and identifies that radio. A code made from the VIN fits the radio the car left the factory with. The serial number always matches the radio that is in the car now.
What is a precode?
On Renault and Dacia, the precode is one letter and three digits (for example A123). It is the last 4 characters of the radio serial number. You can see it on the display or on the label of the radio.
Buttons 1 and 6 don't show anything. What now?
On a Renault or Dacia, try buttons 1 and 5. On a Ford 4500 RDS, use buttons 2 and 6. Radios without preset buttons, and radios showing WAIT or LOCKED, may not show the serial at all. In that case, read it from the label on the radio casing.
Which button combination shows the serial on a Ford?
On a 6000 CD (2004 and later) and most Sony radios, hold buttons 1 and 6. On a 4500 RDS, hold buttons 2 and 6. Keep holding until the display cycles through numbers. The serial is the last item shown, a V or an M followed by six digits. Older radios like the 6000 CD RDS EON, the 5000 RDS and TravelPilot need to be removed to read the label.
Why doesn't the VIN work on my Renault or Dacia?
Two common reasons: we may not find the code for your car, or the radio is not the original one anymore. A code made from the VIN fits the radio fitted at the factory. When that happens, use the serial number from the display or from the label of the radio that is in the car now.
Can I remove the radio myself?
On many models, yes, with release keys. You only need to pull the radio out far enough to read the label, and on most models you don't need to unplug cables. Don't pry at the dashboard. If the radio doesn't come out easily, stop and check the removal steps for your model, or ask a workshop.
Is that character a letter or a digit?
On small displays a letter can look like a digit, for example an S can look like a 5. A Renault or Dacia precode always starts with a letter. On a Ford serial, a letter O is the number zero. If you are not sure, check the label.
My Ford is from 2016 or later. Do I need a serial number?
Ford radios built into the dashboard system from about 2016 don't ask for a code, so there is no serial to look up. If your radio asks for a code, it has a serial: use the steps above to find it.