Readiness For Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing - Ford 2001 Mercury Cougar Owner's Manual

Maintenance and care
Readiness for inspection/
maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal
requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on board diagnostic (OBD II)
system. If your check engine" light
is on, refer to the description in the
Warning Lights and Chimes
section of the Instrumentation
chapter. Your vehicle may not pass
the I/M test with the check engine"
light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system
or battery has just been serviced,
the OB II system is reset to a not
ready for I/M test" condition. To
ready the OBD II system for I/M
testing, a minimum of 30 minutes
of city and highway driving is
necessary as described below:
• First, at least 10 minutes of
driving on an expressway or
highway.
• Next, at least 20 minutes of
driving in stop and go, city type
driving with at least four idle
periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least
eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and
complete the above driving cycle.
The engine must warm up to its
normal operating temperature.
Once started, do not turn off the
engine until the above driving cycle
is complete.