Self-Diagnostic Systems: Description: Trip
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 7 other vehicles, including the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2003 Pontiac Bonneville, 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 2003 Chevrolet Impala, and 2003 Buick Regal. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
A trip is an interval of time during which the diagnostic test runs. A trip may consist of only a key cycle to power up the PCM, allow the diagnostic to run, then cycle the key off to power down the PCM. A trip may also involve a PCM power up, meeting specific conditions to run the diagnostic test, then powering down the PCM. The definition of a trip depends upon the diagnostic. Some diagnostic tests run only once per trip (i.e., catalyst monitor) while other tests run continuously during each trip (i.e. misfire).