The public service announcement we all needed but never got - Emissions Readiness monitors

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: In New York (and other states I am sure) your yearly car inspection, for the majority of us, includes a safety and emissions check. Many people think that as long as the "Check Engine Light" is not illuminated that they will pass the emission part of the inspection. This is not always the case. In an effort to keep people from just clearing their check engine light every time they need an inspection (speculation) manufacturer's have included "self checks" to ensure that everything is operating properly within the computer by checking certain functions at certain times such as when cruising down the highway, when coasting to a stop, when accelerating and idling. These are commonly referred to as "Emissions Readiness Monitors" and there is a specified number of them that have to "Passed" in order for a car to pass the emissions part of the inspection. A dead battery or the clearing of a check engine light resets these lights as well.

It is important to understand that some of these systems do not function correctly at temperatures below zero and often times require temperatures over 41 degrees in some instances (2007 Subaru Outback) in order to run as designed/specified by the OEM manufacturer. When the outside temperature falls below such temperatures your car will generally not even attempt to run self checks that have to be completed in order for your car to pass inspection. It is HIGHLY recommended that if you own an older car that you get your vehicle inspected in the spring/summer/fall if you live in areas where the temperature gets cold and snowy. Otherwise you may not be able to get your vehicle inspected should you have a issue with your car that requires the clearing of a check engine light.

I have always thought that ^ should have been in the DMV manual, ran on TV here and there and even put on bill boards. All of this started in 1996 which means, statistically, there are more people driving that got a license before this even became something one had to worry about. I do not know what you know so I put here what I think everyone should know, please do not be offended.