Jeep 2018 GRAND CHEROKEE, User Manual

Page: 86 / 372

EMISSIONS INSPECTION
AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal require-
ment to pass an inspection of your vehicle's
emissions control system. Failure to pass
could prevent vehicle registration.
For states that require an Inspec-
tion and Maintenance (I/M), this
check verifies the “Malfunction In-
dicator Light (MIL)” is functioning
and is not on when the engine is running, and
that the OBD II system is ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready.
The OBD II system may
not be ready if your
vehicle was recently serviced, recently had a
dead battery or a battery replacement. If the
OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail
the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition actuated
test, which you can use prior to going to the
test station. To check if your vehicle's OBD II
system is ready, you must do the following:
1. Cycle the ignition switch to the ON posi-
tion, but do not crank or start the engine.
NOTE:
If you crank or start the engine, you will
have to start this test over.
2. As soon as you cycle the ignition switch to
the ON position, you will see the “Mal-
function Indicator Light (MIL)” symbol
come on as part of a normal bulb check.
3. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of
two things will happen:
• The MIL will flash for about ten seconds
and then return to being fully illuminated
until you turn OFF the ignition or start the
engine. This means that your vehicle's OBD
II system is
not ready and you should not
proceed to the I/M station.
• The MIL will not flash at all and will remain
fully illuminated until you place the igni-
tion in the off position or start the engine.
This means that your vehicle's OBD II sys-
tem is
ready and you can proceed to the I/M
station.
If your OBD II system is not ready, you should
see your authorized dealer or repair facility. If
your vehicle was recently serviced or had a
battery failure or replacement, you may need
to do nothing more than drive your vehicle as
you normally would in order for your OBD II
system to update. A recheck with the above
test routine may then indicate that the sys-
tem is
now ready .
Regardless of whether your vehicle's OBD II
system is ready or not, if the MIL is illumi-
nated during normal vehicle operation you
should have your vehicle serviced before go-
ing to the I/M station. The I/M station can fail
your vehicle because the MIL is on with the
engine running.
GETTING
TO
KNOW
YOUR
INSTRUMENT
P
ANEL
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