1999 Ford Explorer Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 236

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/Service Engine Soon" 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/Service Engine Soon" light on. If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced, the OBD-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 driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic 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. EXTERIOR BULBS Replacing exterior bulbs Check the operation of the following lamps frequently: • Headlamps • Foglamps • High-mount brakelamp • Brakelamps • Turn signals • License plate lamp • Tail lamps • Back-up lamps Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they can be replaced immediately with new ones. If a bulb is removed for an extended period of time, contaminants may enter the lamp housings and affect lamp performance. 236