EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS

In some areas, it may be a legal requirement to have your vehicle's emission control system inspected. Failure to pass the inspection may prevent vehicle registration.

For states requiring Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) testing, this check verifies that the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is working and is not illuminated with the engine running, and that the OBD II system is ready for testing.

Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II system may not be ready if your vehicle has recently been serviced, recently had a battery discharge, or a battery replacement. If the OBD II system is found not to be ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.

Your vehicle has a simple ignition check procedure that you can use before going to the test station. To check whether your vehicle's OBD II system is ready, you must do the following:

1. 1
   Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not crank or start the engine.

   NOTE:

   If you crank or start the engine, you will need to restart this test.

2. 2
   Once you turn the ignition to the ON position, the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) will illuminate as part of the normal bulb check.
3. 3
   After approximately 15 seconds, one of the following will occur:

   • The MIL will flash for approximately 10 seconds, then remain fully illuminated until you turn the ignition off or start the engine. This means that your vehicle's OBD II system is not ready and you should not proceed to the I/M station.
   • The MIL will not flash and will remain fully illuminated only until you turn the ignition to the off position or start the engine. This means that your vehicle's OBD II system is ready and you may proceed to the I/M station.

If your OBD II system is not ready, you should contact an authorized dealer or a repair facility. If your vehicle was recently serviced or the battery was disconnected or replaced, you may not need to do anything other than drive the vehicle normally for the OBD II system to update. Retesting with the above test procedure may then indicate that the system is now ready.

Whether or not your vehicle's OBD II system is ready, if the MIL is illuminated during normal vehicle operation, you should have the vehicle serviced before going to an I/M station. The I/M station may reject your vehicle because the MIL is illuminated with the engine running.