On-Board Diagnostics, A Heavy Duty Perspective

Malfunction detection and diagnostics for emission control systems have been incorporated by regulation into passenger cars, light duty trucks and medium duty vehicles. These systems, referred to as on-board diagnostics (OBD and OBD II), are intended to alert the vehicle operator of defective emission control devices so as to reduce the time between occurrence of the malfunction and its repair. The impact that detection and diagnostic systems have on the heavy duty engine and vehicle market will be explored by examining brief profiles and common practices of the heavy duty industry and vehicle customer.