Cars and Light Trucks

General Questions

• Q:  How does a manufacturer print a CFEIS ASCII-text report file in a format which is readable? When I printed the report file, the columns where not arranged properly, the pages started in the wrong place, and the text lines were too long to fit on the page.
• A:  To properly view or print an IOV-CFEIS ASCII-text report follow these steps:
  1. Use a word processor such as WordPerfect or MS-Word.
  2. Import the IOV-CFEIS ASCII-text file into your wordprocessor and convert it from "standard ASCII (DOS) text".
  3. At the top of your document, set the Left, Right, Top, and Bottom Margins to as close to 0.0 inches as your wordprocessor will allow.
  4. Set the font to Courier 10 point.
  5. Set the Page Paper Size to Landscape.
  6. Place a Hard-Page Break at the start of each page in the report. Look for "Date: " and replace it with a Hard-Page Break followed by "Date: ". This should find all new pages in the report.
  7. Print the report from your wordprocessor.
  8. You can then save the document in your wordprocessor's standard document format (e.g., WordPerfect 6.0) and it will be ready to print again.

• Q:  When we input comments (such as the FC record type on CAFE), do we need to enter the record type (FC) at the beginning of each line of the comments or just on the first line?
• A:  The record type identifier (FC) needs to be on every line of comments.

• Q:  When I select the E-Mail link to the OMSCFEIS Group, I get an error message about configuration.  What can I do to correct this?
• A:  You must set up the identity portion of your E-mail configuration setup. If you have the Netscape Navigator browser follow these steps. On the Menu bar, select Options, mail and news preference. In the identity tab, set your name, your e-mail, and your organization properties. Then select ok to save the setup. Now the E-mail link should work correctly. For other network browsers, the steps will be similar. Contact your network support personnel if you continue to experience problems.

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Carline Questions

• Q: If we just send a C1 record, is the CS record always required?
• A: Not unless the carline is restricted to be sold in a specific area only.
• Q: If we send a C2 and C1 record, is a ZZ record required after the C1?
• A: No, the C1 & C2 may share the same ZZ record.
• Q: What is the State Restriction Code on the CS record?
• A: The "State Restriction Code" is used to identify a model type for sale only in specific areas such as Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, etc. GM has previously identified the "Pontiac Firefly" as being for sale in Puerto Rico only. For all other cases this record (CS) need not be submitted.

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Shift Schedule Questions

• No questions submitted

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Engine System Information Questions

• Q:   Field Name: Federal OBD; Record Type: E1; Position: 70 What should be entered in this position if the vehicle is equipped with California OBD II? Should it be left blank?
• A:  If the sales class is "FA" and the vehicle is equipped with California OBD II, the code value "C" should be used for "Calif. OBD" under the Federal OBD field.
• Q:  Can there be multiple E2 records for multiple GVW Categories? (Some manufacturers may have multiple weight categories per Engine,System,Subsystem: LDT2 and LDT3, for example).
• A:  There cannot be multiple GVW Categories under system or subsystem for an engine family. GVW category is an engine family determinant. You need to enter a new or different engine family name for a different GVW category.
• Q:  Would it be better to send E1 records and E2,ES,and EG records with the Replace option, instead of the Modify option if we are sending the data for all the fields (even though some is actually not changed)?
• A:  It doesn't make any difference.

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Evaporative System Information Questions

• Q:  How do I get rid of that error message that occurs when I enter a PM record?
• A:  PM records are no longer necessary. Remove the records and the error will go away.
• Q:  How do I use the same evaporative tests against multiple evaporative families and summary sheets
• Q:  We plan on sending the P1 and PF records with the Modify option to change some of the fields (using the asterisks to blank out data where necessary) instead of the Replace option because PF records do not allow the Modify option. Is this going to cause us any problems if we send all the fields, even when some are not changing? Do we have to use an asterisk for every character that we want to blank out, or just 1 asterisk to blank an entire field? Example: OLD VALUE= 12.34 If the NEW VALUE is 1.23 then do we need *1.23 or just 1.23 in the Modify record? Example2: OLD VALUE=12.34 If the NEW VALUE is to be blank then do we need ***** or just * ????
• A:  No, there is no problem with entering all the data in the fields not being changed. To change any value in a numeric field, enter the new value. Asterisks in a numeric field will blank out the field. To blank out an alphanumeric field, every column of the field must contain an asterisk. If an alphanumeric field is only partially filled in with asterisks, then the asterisks become part of the field.
• Q:  Can there be multiple P2 records for multiple GVW Categories?
• A:  Multiple P2 records are not allowed in this instance.

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Vehicle Information Questions

• Q:  Could you please explain the meaning of the Catalyst Preheating Method Code on the VP record? And also explain the meaning of each of the choices? Does this refer to catalyst systems that actually are pre-heated prior to engine start?
• A:  It is a field to identify whether a preheating catalyst is used or not compared to traditional catalyst which is considered to be operating without preheating.
  1. Electric-metallic : Uses metallic substrate of the catalyst as the heating element.
  2. Electric Non-metallic : Uses methods other than metallic substrate to electrically preheat the catalyst.
  3. Non-electric Metallic : Uses metallic substrate catalyst that is located close to exhaust manifold for preheating.
  4. Non-electric Non_metallic : Uses nonmetallic substrate catalyst that is located close to exhaust manifold for preheating.
• Q:  Is the decimal implied or explicit for the Working Capacity per Canister field on the VP record?
• A:  There is no decimal, whole number entry only.
• Q:  What should go into the Alternate Canister Loading Rate For The 3-Diurnal Test on the VP record for evaporative families with no alternate canister loading rate?
• A:  This field is not required to be filled in therefore manufacturers may leave this field blank if so desired.
• Q:  What should be written into the Fuel System MFR/Model on the VF record if using both manufacturer and model names have too many characters to fit into the space provided? Can one or the other be used? Can abbreviated names be used?
• A:  Either can be used. Where it is possible enter abbreviations for both that are recognizable.
• Q:  Is the decimal implied with the Tank Capacity on the VF record?
• A:  NO, a decimal is required to be entered.
• Q:  What entry criteria should be used as the shift schedule code?
• A:  For certification and fuel economy vehicles always use "A". Record Type: VT  Field 5 18-18 Shift Ind.Light
• Q:  What's the difference on the Shift Indicator Light (VT record) between 3 (by SIL) and 5 (by Survey)?
• A:  Choice 3 (Shifted by SIL), Choice 5 (Shifted by Survey Schedule) (a marked trace) is defined in A/C 72A, page 12, paragraph VII.
• Q:  What entry criteria should be used as the running loss fuel temp profile data-base code?
• A:  For certification and fuel economy vehicles always use "A".
• Q:  Is the running loss fuel temp profile ID a manufacturer assigned value or does EPA assign this number to manufacturers?
• A:  This field is not a required field. It may be left blank.
• Q:  What entry criteria should be used as the dynamometer equation type code?
• A:  Do not enter data until this field is further defined or requested by EPA. Record Type V1 card- Field 8 (Actual Vehicle Model):
• Q:  What should be placed in the actual vehicle model field, the vehicle model name or VIN?
• A:  This is your choice. Usually it is the test vehicle's model name.
• Q:  In the design curb weight field, do leading zero's need to be entered?
• A:  Manufacturers may either use leading zero's or may leave blanks before the values. This may also be done for Field 3, Field 5, and Field 6 on the V2 record.
• Q:  Should the displacement units be right or left justified?
• A:  Left justify the displacement units.
• Q:  The Ignition Timing Degree Tolerance has three columns but the possible answers use a maximum of two columns. How should the columns be filled in?
• A:  Right justify this field with leading blanks or zero's to fill in the unused columns.

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Manufacturer Test Data Questions

• Q:  Field Name: Wait Time; Record Type: T3; Position 47-48 Please explain what type of information should be entered in this position.
• A:  In the CFR, the Wait Time for the Short Test is a 25-30 minute wait time of free idle, with optional engine off/restart cycles, must be performed as specified in section 86.1437(b)
• Q:  What Test Procedures are manufacturers required to submit Fuel Property information with on the MTDS record? Is it safe to assume that only Test Procedures resulting in a MPG value need to have fuel property information?
• A:  Test Procedures: Currently the test procedures requiring measured fuel property values are: 02, 03, 09, 11, 21, 25, 31, 35, 41, & 45. All others do not need these values.
• Q:  T2 card--Entry Field 8 (Reason for Confirmation): Should we input something into this field?
• A:  This field should be left blank for a manufacturer test.
• Q: T4 card--Entry Field 11 (Fuel Net Heating Value): What kind of data should be shown in this field?
• A:Enter the Fuel Net Heating Value for the first manufacturers test and for a given fuel batch ID and fuel calibration number. If the same fuel batch ID and fuel calibration number is used on subsequent manufacturer tests, this field need not be entered again.
• Q:  T4 card--Entry Field 13 (Weight Fraction CO2): Does the data have to be 1/1000 precision?
• A:  Yes, 1/1000 precision is consistent with what is specified for carbon weight fraction measurements.
• Q:  TR card--Entry Field 3 (Unrounded Test Result): Does the data have to be 1/10000000 precision?
• A:  Use the maximum precision level your system will provide.

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Summary Sheet Questions

• No questions submitted