1997 Nissan Altima Owner's Manual - Page 195

READINESS FOR INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST Due to legal requirements in some states and Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be required to be in what is called the ''ready condition'' for an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the emission control system. The vehicle is set to the ''ready condition'' when it is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually, the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary usage of the vehicle. If a powertrain system component is repaired or the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be reset to a ''not ready'' condition. Before taking the I/M test, drive the vehicle through the following pattern to set the vehicle to the ready condition. If you cannot or do not want to perform the driving pattern, a NISSAN dealer can conduct it for you. WARNING Always drive the vehicle in a safe manner according to traffic conditions and obey all traffic laws. 1. Start the engine when the engine coolant temperature gauge needle points to C. Allow the engine to idle until the gauge needle points between the C and H (normal operating temperature). 9-20 2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 mph (88 km/h), then quickly release the accelerator pedal completely and keep it released for at least 6 seconds. 3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for a moment, then drive the vehicle at a speed of 53 to 60 mph (86 to 96 km/h) for at least 5 minutes. 4. Stop the vehicle and turn the engine off. 5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 at least one more time. If step 1, 2 or 3 is interrupted, repeat the preceding step. Any safe driving mode is acceptable between steps. Do not stop the engine until step 3 is completed.