TABLE OF CONTENTS | Authors Note | I am most grateful to Alan Malby (Ford Motor Company) for his excellent contribution to this chapter. |
Originating in the USA, and subsequently followed by Europe, Asia and many others, governments around the globe have augmented vehicle emissions control legislation. This includes a requirement that all vehicles sold within their territories must support an on-board diagnostic system that can be operated to determine the serviceability of the vehicle's emission control systems, sub-systems and components.
Enabled by the increasing advances in electronics and microprocessor software development, this system, now commonly termed as on-board diagnostics (OBD), has been developed over recent years and is now implemented by all major motor vehicle manufacturers. Furthermore, this has been extended to allow diagnosis of none- emission related vehicle systems.
Later in this chapter, and in the final chapter of the book, there is more information about the development of on-board diagnostics and the potential for further improvements. Some aspects are repeated for reasons of clarity.
From as early as 1930, the subject of vehicle engine emissions influencing environmental health was very topical in the State of California. Already with a population of 2 million vehicles, scores of people have died and thousands have become sick due to air pollution related illnesses.
Following the outbreak of WW2, the population of California had risen to some 7 million people in 1943, with 2.8 million vehicles travelling over a total of...
