146 || 147
M
AINTENANCEMAINTENANCE
Testing of Readiness Codes
Your vehicle has readiness codes as part of the onboard self-diagnostic s\
ystem.
Some states use these codes for testing to verify whether your vehicle’\
s emissions
components are working properly. The codes may not be read if you go through the
testing just after the battery has gone dead or been disconnected.
To check if they are set, turn the vehicle on without starting the engine\
. The
malfunction indicator lamp will come on for several seconds. If it goes \
off, the
readiness codes are set. If it blinks five times, the readiness codes \
are not set.
If you are required to have your vehicle tested before the readiness cod\
es are set,
prepare the vehicle for retesting by doing the following:
1.
Fill the gas tank to approximately 3/4 full.
2.
Park the vehicle and leave the engine off for 6 hours or more.
3.
Make sure the ambient temperature is between 40°F and 95°F (4°\
C and 35°C).
4.
Start the engine without touching the accelerator pedal, and let it idle\
for 20
seconds.
5.
Keep the vehicle in Park (P) or Neutral for manual transmission. Incre\
ase the
engine speed to 2,000 rpm, and hold it there for about 3 minutes.
6.
Let the engine idle with your foot off the accelerator for 20 seconds.
7.
Select a nearby, lightly traveled major highway where you can maintain a speed
of 50 to 60 mph (80 to 97 km/h) for at least 20 minutes. Drive on the \
highw
ay
with the vehicle in Drive (D) or 5th gear. Do not use cruise control. When traffic
allows, drive for 90 seconds without using the accelerator pedal. (
vehicle speed
may vary slightly; this is
oK.) If you cannot do this for a continuous 90 seconds
because of traffic conditions, drive for at least 30 seconds, then rep\
eat two more
times (for a total of 90 seconds).
8.
Drive in city or suburban traffic for at least 10 minutes. When traffi\
c conditions
allow
, let the vehicle coast for several seconds without using the accelerator
pedal or the brake pedal.
9.
Park the vehicle and leave the engine off for 30 minutes.
The readiness codes are erased when the battery is disconnected, and set\
again
only after several days of driving under a variety of conditions.
If a testing facility determines that the readiness codes are not set, y\
ou may be
requested to return at a later date to complete the test, or see your de\
aler
.
TemperatureThe temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the\
tire’s
resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat w\
hen tested
under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test whee\
l. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and re\
duce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. Th\
e grade
C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor
vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel th\
an the
minimum required by law.
W
ARNING: The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded.
excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat b\
uildup
and possible tire failure.