Document ID: EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0690-0002
Agency: epa
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2010-08-25T04:00Z

Draft

Supporting Statement

for

Information Collection Request

EPA’s Light-Duty In-Use Vehicle Testing Program (Renewal)

EPA ICR 0222.09

OMB Control No: 2060-0086

August, 2010

Compliance and Innovative Strategies Division 

Office of Transportation and Air Quality 

Office of Air and Radiation 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Part A SUBMISSION

Section 1: Identification of the Information Collection

1(a) Title and Number of the Information Collection

	EPA’s Light-Duty In-Use Vehicle Testing Program (Renewal), EPA ICR
Number 0222.09, OMB Control Number 2060-0086.  This ICR was formerly
titled “EPA’s In-Use Vehicle and Engine Testing Programs.” This
renewal includes only the light-duty vehicle portion of the prior ICR.
The heavy-duty and off-road vehicle and engine programs will henceforth
be included in the ICR 1684, OMB 2060-0287. 

1(b) Short Characterization/Abstract 

	The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Transportation and
Air Quality, Compliance and Innovative Strategies Division, conducts an
integrated motor vehicle and engine emission compliance program.  Motor
vehicles and engines are first evaluated as prototypes prior to
production; those designs that meet applicable criteria are licensed for
introduction into commerce.  EPA also has discretion to conduct assembly
line testing of new vehicles and engines as well as to test emissions of
in-use vehicles and engines.  This Information Collection Request covers
inquiries directed at the owners/lessees of in-use light-duty motor
vehicles to see if their specific vehicles are suitable for an EPA
in-use testing investigation and the paperwork burdens attendant upon
election to participate. The prior ICR had a light-duty vehicle
component and a heavy-duty and nonroad component. This ICR renews only
the light-duty portion.  

	The light-duty program can be broken down into three closely-related
headings. The first is the surveillance testing program, with the
possibility of an add-on compliance testing phase. Only three compliance
phases have been conducted in the last five years, but it remains an
information collection in this request. The second is a small ongoing
program testing the functioning of onboard diagnostics (OBD) systems on
in-use vehicles, which is simply additional testing on a subset of
vehicles already recruited for the surveillance program. Finally, budget
permitting, there are other occasional one-time “special
investigations” spot-check tests of vehicles to address specific
issues. An example of a special investigation might be procurement of a
class of vehicles to test compatibility with a particular portable
emissions monitoring (PEM) unit. Special investigations are similar to
testing of the portion of surveillance classes has have been selected to
address a specific informational need.  Because they use the same
procurement system as the surveillance and OBD programs, these special
investigations should be accounted for in this collection request,
although the number of such tests will vary. 

	Light-duty testing typically includes standard emissions test cycles
and standard OBD tests performed at EPA’s facility in Ann Arbor. The
primary purpose of these programs is informational: to give EPA and
manufacturer engineers intelligence regarding emissions performance for
in-use vehicles. Manufacturers are involved at every step of the ongoing
light-duty programs: they are informed of the surveillance tests, can be
present during vehicle preparation and testing, are given test results,
and participate in post-failure investigations. The testing supplements
information from the manufacturers’ own discretionary in-use testing
programs as well as the mandatory reporting under the manufacturers’
In-Use Vehicle Program (IUVP) under 40 CFR 1845–1847. 

	The light-duty program entail two formalized information collections.
Participation in the information collections, as well as the vehicle
evaluation, is strictly voluntary. (The actual solicitation of
information is conducted by EPA’s contractor, URS, at its Michigan
Procurement Facility.)  First, 25 to 50 owners/lessees of the vehicles
of interest who are within about 70 miles of Ann Arbor are randomly
selected from the owner list of vehicles obtained from the Michigan
Secretary of State and sent a letter with a card and return envelope to
accept or decline the invitation to  participate (Attachments II, III,
and IV).  After a suitable time for response, all positive respondents
are considered for inclusion and called in order from the list. If the
owner/lessee is reached and willing, a telephone questionnaire is
conducted that asks about a half-dozen questions concerning vehicle
condition and maintenance (see Attachment V). The first three who
successfully complete the telephone questionnaire provide the vehicles
for the surveillance class. If there are any test failures in the first
three, then two more are recruited in the same manner. Additional groups
of potential participants will be contacted if necessary until the
required three or five vehicles have been obtained.

	Information collected is used to insure that vehicles procured meet
relevant criteria.  For example, the vehicle should not have been
tampered with or have other overt problems.  Special testing
investigations and particular vehicle types may have additional or
alternative criteria. 

	Those who elect to participate are asked if they are willing to bring
in their maintenance records for copying when they deliver their
vehicles. Doing so is voluntary and has no effect on eligibility. At the
time of delivery, participants go over the telephone questionnaire
answers and sign a notarized statement that the answers are correct.
They sign for either URS’s cash incentive or a loaner car agreement,
and a URS test agreement. Upon delivering their vehicle, they sign a
vehicle release.

	As part of the surveillance process, EPA attempts to determine the
cause of any test failures. Post-test “special maintenance” involves
close examination of the vehicle, nearly always with manufacturer
participation. This may produce relevant information about the cause of
the failure. Surveillance test data are also supplemented with
information from manufacturer application test data, EPA confirmatory
test rest results, defect reports, service bulletins, CARB  (California
Air Resources Board) warranty reports, state Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) information, manufacturer service technician bulletins, and the
results of the manufacturers’ IUVP tests submitted to EPA and their
own in-use testing results. Manufacturers/importers are involved in the
process from the outset, and receive all test results, including test
failures. The process of identifying problems is collaborative and
cooperative in nearly all cases.  If EPA believes that a recall is
indicated, and the manufacturer/importer agrees that EPA's conclusion is
valid, it will agree to conduct a voluntary recall.  However, if
questions remain, EPA has procedures in place to run the compliance test
phase with continued manufacturer involvement. Even at this stage the
inferences are informational rather than statistical: to identify, based
on engineering judgment, the appropriate population to which the problem
applies, identify the cause of the problem, resolve issues regarding the
testing protocols and results, etc. The process has not been adversarial
in recent years. There have only been three compliance classes in the
last five years, and they were or are being amicably resolved without
any recall.  

	Based on information gathered from all sources, EPA can make an
administrative finding mandating recall and repair of in-use vehicles if
it determines that “a substantial number” of vehicles in a class or
category do not comply with the emissions requirements as a result of
its own in-use testing program. In reality, such a determination will be
based on information from a variety of sources that may or may not
include EPA in-use testing. Such findings are subject to the
Administrative Procedures Act and are reviewable in court under the
“substantial evidence” test (5 USC 706(2)(E)), which is restated in
the “substantial evidence” standard in the Clean Air Act for
ordering recalls. 

	Procurement of light duty vehicles for a compliance testing phase is
similar to that for the surveillance phase, except that EPA may make
several attempts to contact an owner/lessee by telephone or mail;
participants in the surveillance phase are screened out.

	In the last fiscal year an estimated 185 vehicle in-use testing actions
were conducted by EPA, counting OBD add-ons as separate actions. Adding
an allowance for about 25 special investigation vehicles (the number is
expected to vary from year to year) and the possibility of a
confirmatory class, the estimate here is 210 procured vehicle actions,
corresponding to 3673 contacts and 164 telephone interview and/or other
followup participant contacts. Assuming that 4,285 respondents spend an
average of 7.3 minutes, this collection imposes a burden of 521 hours
annually.  This collection has no recordkeeping requirements.  

Section 2: Need for and Use of the Collection

2(a) Need/Authority for the Collection

	Under Title II of the Clean Air Act, (42 U.S.C. 7521 et seq.),
manufacturers of motor vehicles and engines are required to design and
build vehicles which will comply with emission standards throughout
their useful lives.  ("Useful life" is defined by statute and
regulation; it varies by type of vehicle or engine.)  Pursuant to
section Clean Air Act section 207(c) (42 USC 7541, see Attachment I), 
EPA is responsible for monitoring compliance and investigating possible
noncompliance with  emission standards.  



	In order to fulfill this function, it is necessary for EPA to test
actual "in-use" vehicles; these vehicles must be obtained from their
owners/lessees.  As part of the procurement process, EPA must determine
that the vehicle is within the useful life and that it has been
“properly maintained and used”.  In order to do this, EPA must make
a limited inquiry of the owner/lessees who are willing to participate;
see Attachment V for an example telephone questionnaire. 

2(b) Practical Utility/Users of the Data

	EPA needs the information from the vehicle owner/lessee to determine
that the vehicle is within its “useful life” and that it has been
“properly maintained and used.”  EPA’s Compliance and Innovative
Strategies Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, is the
prime user of this information. Manufacturers whose models are being
tested receive a copy of the file on the vehicle to be tested,
identified by a “vehicle control number.” Manufacturers are informed
of pre-test maintenance and test dates and receive all test results.
They also participate in post-test “special maintenance” to
investigate failures.

Section 3:  Nonduplication, Consultations, and Other Collection Criteria

 

3(a)Nonduplication

	The information obtained from the vehicle owner/lessee is unique to
that specific vehicle; it is not obtainable from any other source. There
is no information  available, in either public or private databases,
that will adequately serve the program purposes. (Some vehicle
maintenance information, such as warranty repairs and scheduled
maintenance done at dealers’ outlets, is available from manufacturers
and commercial automotive data services, and such information may be
supplied by manufacturers in their own interests or as queried by EPA.
However, it is not a substitute for owners’/lessees’ own records.)
Additionally, there are no other similar government programs which would
allow sharing of data. 

3(b) Public Notice Prior to ICR Submission to OMB

	EPA  solicited public comment by means of a Federal Register Notice
published on _____,  2010, __ Federal Register  _____.  

3(c) Consultations

	In preparing this ICR, EPA consulted with Ms. Kim Cieslak and John
White, URS Michigan Procurement Facility, (734) 214-4568.   (URS is
EPA’s contractor that procures and maintains in-use passenger cars and
light duty trucks.)   Ms. Cieslak mails out the procurement letters and
conducts the telephone interviews; she was asked to monitor how much
time the interviews required.  She determined the average to be 20
minutes. John White is her supervisor. The two went over how the program
operates from start to end. 

3(d) Effects of Less Frequent Collection

	Information is collected only once per vehicle evaluation; less
frequent collection is not possible.

 

3 (e) General Guidelines

	This information collection activity complies with the requirements of
5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2).

3 (f) Confidentiality

 	Information gathered from light-duty respondents is stored in
contractor files. These paper records, including names and social
security numbers needed for those who accept payment over $600 in lieu
of loaner cars, are completely segregated from test results, which are
separately handled and stored by EPA. Respondent information is handled
and stored exclusively by the contractors URS.  It is not available to
the public. Non-personal information (such as maintenance record data)
may occasionally be queried by EPA staff, who convey the request to URS,
who in turn retrieve the information from respondent files and answer
the EPA query.  Test results are tracked by vehicle control number and
are shared with manufacturers by email automatically; they are available
to the public. This information collection complies with the Privacy Act
of 1974 and OMB Circular A-130.   

 

3(g) Sensitive Questions

	No sensitive questions are asked in this information collection.

Section 4. Respondents and Information Requested

4(a) Respondents/SIC & NAICS Codes

	The respondents are individual vehicle owners/lessees of any regulated
vehicle or engine regulated by EPA under the Clean Air Act (No NAICS
code).

4(b) Information Requested

(i) Data items

	Respondents who receive EPA’s initial request (see Attachments II and
III and IV) are asked to supply  the following information on a card via
a postage paid return envelope; participation is entirely voluntary:

Do they own/lease the desired vehicle; verify the make and model

Current odometer reading

Are they the original owner/lessee

Transmission type

Are they interested in participating; how EPA should contact them.

	Those who indicate they wish to be considered for participation are
asked for additional information:

Has the odometer malfunctioned and, if so, for how long was it
inoperative

Has the vehicle catalyst ever been replaced

Do they have maintenance records; would they allow EPA to review and
copy them 

	There are no recordkeeping requirements associated with this
collection.

(ii) Respondent Activities

	Responses to the request for participation and information collection
are strictly voluntary.

	Those wishing to participate are asked to fill out a postage-paid
information card.  Some are then contacted by telephone to obtain the
additional information listed above.  Vehicles that will be evaluated
are brought to EPA’s facility for testing. The owners/lessees receive
either a cash incentive for each day EPA keeps the vehicle or a lesser
cash incentive and a late model loaner car with a full tank of gas and
unlimited mileage for the duration of the testing, which may take two to
three weeks. 

	Most of the information requested is known by the owner/lessee; some
information might have to be obtained by simple vehicle or engine
inspection or by reference to maintenance records (if available).

Section 5: The Information Collected--Agency Activities, Collection
Methodology, and Information Management

5(a) Agency Activities

	Agency staff typically have no involvement in gathering the
information, as that task is done by an EPA contractor.   However, on
occasion, staff are required to answer specific questions that arise
during the information gathering process. Agency staff do review the
final telephone questionnaire for completeness as well as potential
issues relevant to the vehicle being evaluated. Agency staff select the
vehicle class to be tested, view test results, and participate in
discussions with manufacturers relating to the testing preparations and
results. 

5(b) Collection Methodology and Management

	Information is obtained via mailed responses and telephone interviews;
it is stored on paper in a vehicle file.  The information is reviewed to
see if the specific vehicle or engine meets the criteria for evaluation.
 The file is typically maintained for five years and then destroyed

	Due to the limited amount of information collected and its very limited
use, electronic storage and processing are not employed.

5(c) Small Entity Flexibility

	The information requested is completely voluntary and imposes no
mandatory burden on any respondent. The information collected is the
minimum necessary to assure that vehicles meet the criteria for
evaluation.  Therefore, there can be no process which reduces the burden
on small entities.

5(d) Collection Schedule

	Information is collected on a continuous basis.  The number of
solicitations mailed out in a given time frame is a function of
available test capacity and how difficult a particular vehicle type is
to procure. 

Section 6.Estimating the Burden and Cost of the Collection

6(a) Estimating Respondent Burden

	As explained above, EPA’s contractor estimated that each telephone
interview takes approximately 20 minutes on average.  Subsequent
information-related burdens for participants (such as reviewing and
attesting to the telephone questionnaire answers and supplying
maintenance records voluntarily) upon delivery of light-duty vehicles,
is estimated at 40 minutes. We estimate that the initial contact burden
(by postcard and letter) to averages 5 minutes. 

6(b) Estimating Respondent Costs

(i) Estimating labor costs.

	The is no typical individual owner/lessee; they represent the average
person who acquires or owns a vehicle or engine.  For this analysis we
assume a cost of $21.68 per hour, based on the mean annual income for
people 25 years and older in 1965, from the U.S. Census Bureau, Current
Population Survey, 2006 Annual Social and Economic Supplement ( 
HYPERLINK "http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032006/perinc/new03_001.htm" 
http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032006/perinc/new03_001.htm  , accessed
August 5, 2010). The annual labor cost is therefore $11,295.

(ii) Estimating Capital and Operations and Maintenance Costs

	This collection has no capital, operations or maintenance costs.

(iii) Start-up Costs 

	This collection has no start-up costs.

6(c) Estimating Agency Burden

	EPA uses contractor employees to collect essentially all the
information covered by this information collection request. The most
recent annual contractor costs for the light duty testing component was
approximately $697,000 plus $70,000 for the OBD portion. An estimated
1.5 EPA employees oversee the programs at an annual cost of $150,000.
The total estimated Agency cost is $917,000 per year.

6(d) Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Costs

	From the above discussion the following total burden and cost estimates
can be calculated as presented below.

6(e) Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost

(i) Respondent Tally

Program	Vehicles/Engines	Initial Contacts    	Burden @ 5 min ea.(min)
Participant Contacts	Burden @ 60 min ea (min)

LD Surveillance	150	3673	18365	150	9000

LD Confirmatory	0	0	0	0	0

OBD Surveillance	35	0	0	0	0

Special	25	612	3061	14	840

Total	210	4285	21426	164	9840

Total burden (hrs)

	521

There are no respondent operating, capital, or startup costs associated
with this collection. 

 

(ii) Agency tally

EMPLOYEES 	1.5 (directly involved in information collection) 

COST    		$ 150,000

6(f) Reasons for change in burden

	The changes in burden, a decrease of 90 responses and 98 hours,  are
entirely due to separation of the heavy-duty and nonroad in-use testing
programs into a separate ICR. 

6(g) Burden Statement

	The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this
collection of information is estimated to average approximately 521
hours per year; 7.30 minutes on average for each owner/lessee who
receives a solicitation to participate.   This estimate includes the
time to review the solicitation material, complete the reply
correspondence, complete the telephone questionnaire for the subset
contacted, and complete paperwork for delivery and pickup of
participating vehicles and for monetary compensation.  Participation is
completely voluntary. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial
resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose
or provide information to or for a Federal agency.  This includes the
time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and
utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting,
validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining
information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the
existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and
requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of
information; search data sources; complete and review the collection or
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. 
The OMB control numbers for EPA’s regulation are listed in 40 CFR part
9 and 48 CFR chapter 15.

	To comment on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of
the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing
respondent burden, including the use of automated collection techniques,
EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID Number
EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0690, which is available for online viewing at  
HYPERLINK "http://www.regulations.gov"  www.regulations.gov , or in
person viewing at the EPA Docket Center, EPA/DC, EPA West, Room 3334,
1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC.  The Public Reading Room is
open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal
holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202)
566–1744. An electronic version of the public docket is available at  
HYPERLINK "http://www.regulations.gov"  www.regulations.gov .  This site
can be used to submit or view public comments, access the index listing
of the contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in
the public docket that are available electronically.  When in the
system, select “search,” then key in the Docket ID Number identified
above.  Also, you can send comments to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street,
NW, Washington, D.C. 20503, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA.  Please
include the EPA Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0690 and OMB Control
Number 2060-0086 in any correspondence.

	Attachment I

 	Legal Authority

42 USC 7541. - Compliance by vehicles and engines in actual use 

*   *   *   *   *

(c) Nonconforming vehicles; plan for remedying nonconformity;
instructions for

   maintenance and use; label or tag 

Effective with respect to vehicles and engines manufactured during model
years beginning more than 60 days after December 31, 1970 - 

(1) If the Administrator determines that a substantial number of any
class or category of vehicles or engines, although properly maintained
and used, do not conform to the regulations prescribed under section
7521 of this title, when in actual use throughout their useful life (as
determined under section 7521(d) of this title), he shall immediately
notify the manufacturer thereof of such nonconformity, and he shall
require the manufacturer to submit a plan for remedying the
nonconformity of the vehicles or engines with respect to which such
notification is given. The plan shall provide that the nonconformity of
any such vehicles or engines which are properly used and maintained will
be remedied at the expense of the manufacturer. If the manufacturer
disagrees with such determination of nonconformity and so advises the
Administrator, the        Administrator shall afford the manufacturer
and other interested persons an opportunity to present their views and
evidence in support thereof at a public hearing. Unless, as a result of
such hearing the Administrator withdraws such determination of
nonconformity, he shall, within 60 days after the completion of such
hearing, order the manufacturer to provide prompt notification of such
nonconformity in accordance with paragraph (2). 

*   *   *   *   *

	Attachment II

	Sample Solicitation Letter (EPA)

Dear Vehicle Owner:

The Environmental Protection Agency and URS (under contract to EPA) are
conducting an important program to help control air pollution, which
involves analyzing vehicle exhaust emissions.  You may be able to
contribute significantly toward this program and be rewarded for your
cooperation.  If your vehicle qualifies, we will offer you a number of
incentives to participate:

 

The use of a late-model, fully insured loaner car with a full tank of
fuel, and $20.00 per day.

2.	If you do not wish to use the loaner vehicle, you will receive $50.00
per day.

Your vehicle will be returned with a full tank of fuel.	

The testing will be conducted in EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel
Emissions Laboratory (formerly known as the Motor Vehicle Emissions
Laboratory) in Ann Arbor.  Your vehicle will probably accumulate less
than 300 miles under simulated driving conditions.  No unusual
operations will be performed on your vehicle and it will be fully
insured for the entire test period, which will take approximately one to
four weeks.

Please complete and return the enclosed reply card in the prepaid
envelope to URS as soon as possible, even if you choose not to
participate.  If you are willing to participate, a representative of URS
will be in touch with you to ask questions about your vehicle.

The enclosed information sheet answers some questions people often ask
about this program.  If you want to participate in this program or have
any additional questions, please feel free to call URS toll free at
(866) 665-1228. Some is available between 8 AM and 4 PM or leave a
message for a return call.  You can also call me at (734) 214-4851.  I
will be happy to answer any questions you may have related to this
program.  We look forward to receiving your reply card or a telephone
call very soon.

Sincerely,

Lynn Sohacki

Environmental Engineer

Compliance and Innovative Strategies Division

EPA Motor Vehicle Emissions Laboratory

2565 Plymouth Road

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

	Attachment III

	Sample Solicitation Letter (EPA’s Contractor)

Dear Vehicle Owner:

EG&G Inc. is under contract with the United States Environmental
Protection Agency to obtain privately owned vehicles for the test
program explained in the enclosed message and to perform routine
maintenance and inspection procedures on the selected candidate
vehicles.

Additionally, it is our responsibility to provide you with the
incentives which have been authorized by the Environmental Protection
Agency.

We hope you will join us in this important project.  Please complete and
return the enclosed card in the prepaid envelope.

If you have any questions, an unlisted telephone number, or if it may be
difficult to reach you by telephone, we would appreciate your calling us
toll free at (866) 665-1228.

Sincerely,

John H. White

Program Manager

Attachment IV

	Example Return Card

	Attachment V

	Example Telephone Questionnaire

		TELEPHONE QUESTIONNAIRE        	OMB No. 2060-0086

For Surveillance Class N-160/N-161                                      
   Expires (02/08/2011)	

VEHICLE CONTROL NUMBER                                              DATE
            

ADMINISTERED BY                                                         
               

OWNER'S NAME                                                            
                

STREET ADDRESS                                                          
               

CITY                                                         STATE      
     ZIP        

(CALL NUMBER BELOW THAT IS MARKED WITH AN "X")

TELEPHONE (Home)  /           /            (Business) /          /      
                    

BEST TIME TO CALL                                                       
   

"WE ARE AUTHORIZED BY FEDERAL LAW TO COLLECT THIS INFORMATION.  WHILE
YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RESPOND, YOUR COOPERATION IS NEEDED TO MAKE THE
RESULTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION VALID."

DATE OF CONTACT _______________________ TIME OF CONTACT 
__________________

INDIVIDUAL
CONTACTED_______________________________________________________

TO BE COMPLETED ___________________ DATE AND TIME OF
COMPLETION___________

You have been selected from a list of vehicle owners living in the
Detroit/Ann Ann Arbor metropolitan area to participate in a study of
vehicle emissions being conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency.

EPA is authorized by law to conduct this study and to offer incentives
to you for your cooperation should you decide to participate.  Your
participation in this program is strictly voluntary.

The accuracy of the information that you provide is important.  The
information that you provide will be used by EPA along with emission
results from your vehicle to determine whether the automobile
manufacturer has complied with clean air standards established by
Congress.  The test results from your vehicle will not be used by EPA to
take action against you.  Your cooperation will help EPA's efforts to
control air pollution due to motor vehicle emissions.

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated
to vary from 1 to 60 minutes per response, with an average of 20 minutes
per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the collection of information.  Send comments
regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Chief,
Information Policy Branch, PM-223, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency,40l M St., S.W.  Washington, DC.  20460; and to the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget,
Washington, DC. 20503.

 These are the conditions of the program:

- we ask that you bring your vehicle into our testing facility where you
will receive either a cash incentive for each day we keep your vehicle
or a late model loaner car which will have a full tank of gas and
unlimited mileage.  This vehicle is yours to use without charge for the
duration of the testing, which may take approximately 2 to 3 weeks. 
During this time, we will be performing a series of tests on your
vehicle to measure vehicle emissions.

At the time the vehicle is delivered to us for testing, you will be
required to sign an affidavit stating that the answers to the questions
you will be asked are true and accurate to the best of your knowledge.

We will provide you the following incentives for participating in our
program:

- If your vehicle is accepted into the program, a full tank of gas and a
cash incentive will be awarded. You will be receive $20 per day for each
day your vehicle is at NVFEL, and the use of a fully-insured loan car;
or $50 per day for every day your vehicle is at NVFEL in lieu of a loan
car.

However, if your vehicle is rejected after you bring it to the lab, but
before you leave, you will receive a $20 payment.

The compensation will be based upon whole days, beginning with the day
your vehicle arrives.  It will end one day after you are notified your
vehicle is ready for return.

The maintenance performed on your vehicle will depend on program
requirements. 

You will be given a list of any parts that are replaced.

Are you willing to participate?  YES       NO 

If you are not, may we ask why not?
______________________________________________

FOR “URS PERSONNEL” ONLY

SENTENCES IN CAPITAL LETTERS ARE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CLERK

AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE READ TO THE OWNER.

IF RESPONSE IS POSITIVE:

For the purpose of this study, I am going to ask you some questions
about your vehicle's maintenance and usage history.  Please have your
maintenance records in front of you for reference during the following
questions.  You should answer these questions to the best of your
knowledge and indicate when you are not sure of something.

1.  a. What is the engine family of your vehicle?  The engine family can
be found on a Vehicle Emission Control Information decal located
underside of the hood.  The engine family should start with: 8 G M

/  /  Owner is unable to locate.

/  /  Owner located.  EF# ________________________________________

                                              

/  /  Engine family located when vehicle arrived at the Lab.

ENGINE FAMILY                                               

Engine Family must be =  8GMXT06.2382

b. 	What is the vehicle identification number?  _______________________

c.	What is the model of your vehicle?  _________________ 

d. 	What kind of transmission does your vehicle have?: AUTOMATIC  
MANUAL   OTHER

	   If other,
describe:_________________________________________________________

e.	Is your vehicle air conditioned?  YES   NO 

	

f.	What mileage is indicated on your odometer? ____________________

	

	Has the odometer ever not functioned properly?    YES      NO 

	If yes, approximately how long (months/miles) was it inoperable? 
________________                                                      

CONSULT EPA FOR ELIGIBILITY IF THE RESPONSE IS "YES" to f.

2. Has your vehicle’s catalyst ever been replaced or removed?

YES /  /        NO /  / 

If yes, CALL EO.

3. a) Have you kept records of the maintenance and repairs performed on
your vehicle?

YES /  /      NO /  /

  b) To prepare for testing, the glove box and trunk will need to be
opened during by URS and EPA personnel. Frequently, records pertaining
to the vehicle's maintenance history are found in the vehicle. Will you
allow all records (those provided by you and those found) to be reviewed
and duplicated?

YES /  /      NO /  /

4. EPA needs to share your maintenance records with the manufacturer to
correctly test the vehicle.  Do you agree to this?

YES /  /      NO /  /

     IF RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE, INFORM OWNER THAT: It is important that
they are brought to the lab for review and duplication. 

5. Have you ever used any fuel other than that recommended by the
manufacturer in your vehicle?   

		YES /  /   NO /  /

If Yes, what have you used?
___________________________________________________________

How often have you used it?
___________________________________________________________

When was the last time you used
it?______________________________________________________

6.  Has your vehicle: 

									  

	a) Been in an accident? 			YES /  /   NO /  /	

	b) Had any engine repairs?			YES /  /   NO /  /

	c) Any vehicle modifications?		YES /  /   NO /  /	 

If “yes” to any of the above, please describe:                      
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                    
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
____________________________ 

	Has your vehicle had any:					   DATE:

	d) Body work?				YES /  /   NO /  /	 ________________

	e) Glass repair or replacement?	YES /  /   NO /  /	 ________________	

	f) Paintwork or detailing?  		YES /  /   NO /  /	 ________________

	g) Other?                      YES /  /   NO /  /  _________________	

If “yes” to d – g above, please describe:                         
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                    
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________ 

IF “YES” TO ANY d) THROUGH  f) ABOVE AND DATE IS LESS THAN 6 MONTHS
FROM THE TIME OF THIS QUESTIONNAIRE, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE PUT ON HOLD.

g) New tires?				YES /  /   NO /  /	 

Date and mileage of the most recent tire installed?  Date_________  
Mileage___________

HAS IT BEEN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AND/OR 6,000 MILES SINCE A TIRE
REPLACEMENT?  IF YES, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE PUT ON HOLD.

If a replacement part was installed, was it an original manufacturer
part? Yes  No

What was the approximate cost of the work done?             

Do you have any documentation of the work that was done?                
          

(note to URS: if the answer to any of questions a) thru g) is “yes”,
please consult with EPA staff before accepting this vehicle.)

7.  Is your vehicle equipped with a trailer hitch ?    Yes ____ No ____

	Was the hitch installed by:   dealer   other

How much total weight has been hauled?: 

trailer + cargo = _____________________________________________

( IF YES, CONSULT WITH EPA STAFF BEFORE ACCEPTING THIS VEHICLE.)

INFORM THE OWNER THAT:

 1) All valuables should be removed from the vehicle (including those in
the glove box) prior to bringing the vehicle to the lab.     

 

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 2008  GM   LDT  8GMXT06.2382					Control #N160/N161RXX-______

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 2008  GM   LDT  8GMXT06.2382					Control #N160/N161RXX-______

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