If the Light Is On Steady
You also may be able to correct the emission
system malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 324.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed should turn
the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of
water?
If so, your vehicle’s electrical system may be wet.
The condition will usually be corrected when
the electrical system dries out. A few driving trips
should turn the light off.Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 321. Poor fuel
quality will cause the engine not to run as efficiently
as designed. You may notice this as stalling after
start-up, stalling when you put the vehicle into gear,
mis ring, hesitation on acceleration, or stumbling
on acceleration. (These conditions may go away
once the engine is warmed up.) This will be
detected by the system and cause the light to
turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the
light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light
turn off, your dealer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
202
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
To perform a check engine light bulb check with the
keyless ignition, make sure the transmitter fob is in
the passenger compartment. SeeIgnition Positions
on page 90. Press the bottom of the Acc. button on
the instrument panel and hold the button down for
ve seconds. The instrument panel, including the
check engine light, will light up and the ignition will
be on, but the engine will not start — if you pressthe bottom of the Acc. button only brie y, less than
ve seconds, the accessory power mode will be
turned on, but not the ignition. After the bulb check,
be sure to press and release the Acc. button again
to turn the ignition off and avoid draining the
vehicle’s battery.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines that
critical emission control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the system. The vehicle
would be considered not ready for inspection.
This can happen if you have recently replaced
the battery or if the battery has run down.
The diagnostic system is designed to evaluate
critical emission control systems during normal
driving. This may take several days of routine
driving. If you have done this and your vehicle
still does not pass the inspection for lack of
OBD system readiness, your dealer can prepare
the vehicle for inspection.
203