EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS

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

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

The OBD II system may not be ready if your vehicle has recently been serviced, the battery has recently been discharged, or the battery has been replaced. If the OBD II system is determined to be not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.

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

1. 1
   Turn the ignition key 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
   When you turn the ignition to the ON position, you will see the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) symbol illuminate as part of the normal bulb check.
3. 3
   After approximately 15 seconds, one of two things will happen:

   • The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then return to fully illuminated until the ignition is turned off or the engine is started. This means your vehicle's OBD II system is not ready, and you should not proceed to the I/M station.
   • The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully illuminated until you place the ignition in the off position or start the engine. This means 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 had a battery disconnected or replaced, you may need to do nothing more than drive your vehicle normally for your OBD II system to update. Retesting using the above test procedure may then indicate that the system is now ready.

Regardless of whether your vehicle's OBD II system is ready or not, if the MIL is illuminated during normal vehicle operation, service your vehicle before driving to an I/M station. The I/M station may reject your vehicle because the MIL is illuminated with the engine running.