chap16 pps Automotive technology at University of Cambridge

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Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 3rd Edition
By James D. Halderman

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OBJECTIVES:
After studying Chapter 16, the reader should
be able to:

•
•
•
•
•

Identify a vehicle.
Interpret vehicle identification numbers
and placard information.
Interpret vehicle emissions and emission
control information.
Read and interpret casting numbers.
Locate calibration codes.

Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 3rd Edition
By James D. Halderman

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KEY TERMS:
bin number • calendar year (CY) • calibration codes •
California Air Resources Board (CARB) • casting
numbers • country of origin
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • gross axle
weight rating (GAWR) • gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR)
model year (MY) • tier 1 • tier 2
vehicle emissions control information (VECI) • vehicle
identification number (VIN)

Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 3rd Edition
By James D. Halderman

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PARTS OF A VEHICLE
The names of the parts of a vehicle are based on the location and 
purpose of the component.
Left Side of the Vehicle—Right Side of the Vehicle  Both terms 
refer to the left and right as if the driver is behind the steering 
wheel. Therefore, the left side (including underhood components) 
is the driver’s side.
Front and Rear The proper term for the back portion of any 
vehicle is rear (ex: left rear tire).

Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 3rd Edition
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FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE VS REAR-WHEEL DRIVE
Front­wheel drive (FWD) means that the front wheels are being 
driven by the engine, as well as turned by the steering wheel.
Rear­wheel drive (RWD) means that the rear wheels are driven by 
the engine. If the engine is in the front, it can be either front­ or 
rear­wheel drive.
In many cases, a front engine vehicle can drive all four wheels 
called four­wheel drive (4WD) or all­wheel drive (AWD).
If the engine is located at the rear of the vehicle, it can be rear­
wheel drive or four­wheel (AWD) drive.

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By James D. Halderman

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VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
All service work requires that the vehicle, including  engine and 
accessories, be properly identified. Common identification is the 
make, model, and year of the vehicle.

Figure 16–1 Typical vehicle identification
number (VIN) as viewed through the
windshield.

The year of the vehicle is often difficult to determine. Typically, a 
new model year (MY) starts in September or October prior to the 
actual new year. The vehicle identification number, (VIN) is 
very important for this reason.
Continued
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Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 3rd Edition
By James D. Halderman

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Since 1981 all vehicle manufacturers have used a VIN that is
17 characters long. Codes differ, but there are some constants:

The first number or letter designates the country of origin
The vehicle model is commonly the fourth and/or fifth character
The eighth character is often the engine code. (Some engines 
cannot be determined by the VIN number)
The tenth character represents the calendar year (CY)
A vehicle safety certification label is attached to the left side pillar 
post of the left front door. It indicates month and year of 
manufacture as well as:
1. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
2. The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
3. The vehicle identification number (VIN).
Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 3rd Edition
By James D. Halderman

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VIN Year Chart (pattern repeats every 30 years.)

Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 3rd Edition
By James D. Halderman

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VECI LABEL
The vehicle emissions control information (VECI) label under the 
hood of the vehicle shows informative settings, emission hose 
routing information, and:

Engine identification
Emissions standards 
Vacuum hose routing 
Base ignition timing
Spark plug type and gap
Valve lash
Emission calibration code

Figure 16–2 A VECI label on a 2004 Pontiac
GTO.

The VECI sticker can be located on the bottom side of the hood,  
radiator fan shroud, radiator core support, or strut towers. 
Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 3rd Edition
By James D. Halderman

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EMISSION STANDARDS IN THE US
In the United States, standards are managed by the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) and some state governments. Some of 
the strictest standards in the world are formulated by the California 
Air Resources Board (CARB).
Tier 1 and Tier 2  Federal emission standards are set by the Clean 
Air Act Amendments (CAAA) of 1990, grouped by tier. All 
vehicles sold in the US must meet Tier 1 in effect in 1994, and are 
the least stringent.
Tier 2 standards have been optional since 2001, currently being 
phased­in to be adopted by 2009. Current Tier 1 standards are 
different between automobiles and light trucks (SUVs, pickup 

trucks, and minivans). Tier 2 standards are the same for both.
10

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By James D. Halderman

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Several ratings can be given to vehicles, and a certain percentage
of a manufacturer’s vehicles must meet different levels for the 
company to sell its products in affected regions. Beyond Tier 1,
in order by stringency, are:
TLEV—Transitional Low­Emission Vehicle  More stringent 
for HC than Tier 1.
LEV (also known as LEV I)—Low­Emission Vehicle  An 

intermediate California standard about twice as stringent as 
Tier 1 for HC and NOX.
ULEV (aka ULEV I)—Ultra­Low­Emission Vehicle 
stronger California standard emphasizing very low HC 
emissions.

Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 3rd Edition
By James D. Halderman

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ULEV II—Ultra­Low­Emission Vehicle  A cleaner­than­
average vehicle certified under the Phase II LEV standard. HC, 
CO levels nearly 50% lower than a LEV II­certified vehicle. 

SULEV—Super­Ultra­Low­Emission Vehicle  A California 
standard tighter than ULEV, much lower HC and NOX 
emissions;  equivalent to Tier 2 Bin 2 vehicles.
ZEV—Zero­Emission Vehicle  California standard prohibiting 
emissions. Restricted to electric and hydrogen­fueled vehicles.

Figure 16–3 The underhood decal showing
that this Lexus RX-330 meets both national
(Tier 2; BIN 5) and California LEV-II (ULEV)
regulation standards.

12

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Vehicle manufacturers can meet ZEV obligations by meeting 
standards similar to the ZEV rule in 2001.
Manufacturers may also choose an alternative ZEV compliance 
strategy, meeting part of the ZEV requirement by producing the 
sales­weighted market share of 250 fuel­cell vehicles by 2008.
The required number of fuel­cell vehicles will increase through 
2017. Manufacturers can substitute battery­electric vehicles for up 
to 50% of the fuel­cell vehicle requirements.
NOTE: A battery­powered electric vehicle charged from the power grid

will still be up to 10 times cleaner than even the cleanest gasoline vehicles
over their respective lifetimes.

13

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Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 3rd Edition
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Tier 2 standards are more stringent. Variations are appended with 
“II,” such as LEV II or SULEV II. Other categories:
PZEV—Partial­Zero­Emission Vehicle  Compliant with  
SULEV standard; near­zero evaporative emissions, 15­
year/150,000­mile warranty on emission control equipment.
ILEV—Inherently Low­Emission Vehicle
AT­PZEV—Advanced Technology Partial­Zero­Emission 
Vehicle  If a vehicle meets PZEV standards, using high­tech 
features such as electric motor or high­pressure gaseous fuel 
tanks for compressed natural gas, it qualifies as an AT­PZEV. 
Hybrids such as Toyota Prius and vehicles that run on natural
gas (CNG), such as the Honda Civic GX can qualify.
NLEV—National Low­Emission Vehicle  All vehicles must 
meet this standard, started in 2001. 
14

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Table 16–1
LEV standard
Categories

NOTE: Numbers in parentheses are 100,000-mile standards for LEV I, and 120,000-mile
standards for LEV II. NMOG means non-methane organic gases, which includes alcohol.
CO means carbon monoxide. NOX means oxides of nitrogen. Data compiled from
California Environmental Protection Agency—Air Resource Board (CARB) documents.

Table 16–2

California LEV II 120,000-Mile Tailpipe Emissions Limits

15

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Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 3rd Edition
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Federal EPA Bin Number  The higher the tier number, the 
newer the regulation; the lower the bin number, the cleaner the 
vehicle. The 2004 Toyota Prius is a very clean Bin 3, while the 
Hummer H2 is a dirty Bin 11. Examples:
Tier 1: Former federal standard; carried to model year 2004 for 
vehicles not yet subject to the phase­in
Tier 2, Bin 1: Cleanest federal Tier 2 standard; a (ZEV)
Tier 2, Bins 4–2: Cleaner than the average standard
Tier 2, Bin 5: “Average” of Tier 2 standards, equivalent to a 
LEV II vehicle
Tier 2, Bins 6–9: Not as clean as average requirement for Tier 

2 
Tier 2, Bin 10: Least­clean Tier 2 bin applicable to passenger 
vehicles

16

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See these tables on
Page 118 of your textbook.

Table 16–4

Air Pollution Score
Table 16–3
EPA Tier 2—120,000-Mile Tailpipe Emission Limits

NOTE: The bin number is determined by the type
and weight of the vehicle. The highest bin allowed
for vehicles built after January 1, 2007, is Bin 8.
Data compiled from the EPA.

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By James D. Halderman

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CALIBRATION CODES
Calibration codes are usually located on power train control 
modules (PCMs) or other controllers. Some are only accessible 
with a scan tool. When diagnosing an operating fault, it is often 
necessary to know the calibration code to be sure the vehicle is the 
subject of a technical service bulletin or other service procedure.

Figure 16–4 A typical computer calibration
sticker on the case of the controller. The
information on the sticker is often needed
when ordering parts or a replacement
controller.

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By James D. Halderman

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CASTING NUMBERS
Whenever an engine part is cast, a number is put in the mold to 
identify the casting. These casting numbers can be used to check 
dimensions and other information. Most often the casting number 
is the best piece of information for identifying an engine.

Figure 16–5 Engine block
identification number cast
into the block is used for
identification.

Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 3rd Edition
By James D. Halderman

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SUMMARY
1.

The front, rear, left, and right side of a vehicle are as viewed 
from the driver’s seat.

2.

The vehicle identification number (VIN) is very important as it 
includes when the vehicle was built, as well as the engine code 
and many other details about the vehicle.

3.

The VECI label under the hood often needs to be checked by 
the technician to properly service the vehicle.

4.

Other vehicle information that the technician may need for a 
service or repair include calibration codes, casting numbers, 
and emissions rating.

Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 3rd Edition

By James D. Halderman

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Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service, 3rd Edition
By James D. Halderman

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