Federal Test Procedure (FTP)

The Federal Test Procedure (FTP) is a specific driving cycle that is utilized by the EPA to test light duty vehicle emissions. As part of the procedure for a vehicle manufacturer to obtain emission certification for a particular model/engine family the manufacturer must demonstrate that the vehicle(s) can pass the FTP defined driving cycle two consecutive times while monitoring various components/systems.

Some of the components/systems must be monitored either once per driving cycle or continuously. Systems and their components required to be monitored once within one driving cycle:

Oxygen Sensors
Secondary Air Injection System
Catalyst Efficiency
Evaporative Vapor Recovery System

Due to the complexity involved in meeting the test criteria within the FTP defined driving cycle, all tests may not be completed within one "customer driving cycle". The test can be successfully completed within the FTP defined criteria, however customer driving styles may differ and therefore may not always monitor all involved components/systems in one "trip".

Components/systems required to be monitored continuously:

Cylinder Misfire Detection
Fuel System
Oxygen Sensors
All Emissions Related Components / Systems - DME, EGS, or EML (comprehensive

The Vehicle Speed Graph is an example of the driving cycle that is used by BMW to complete the FTP.

Fig 1: Vehicle Speed Graph

The diagnostic routine in Vehicle Speed Graph will be discontinued whenever:

Engine Speed Exceeds 3000 RPM
Large Fluctuation In Throttle Angle
Road Speed Exceeds 60 MPH

NOTE: The driving criteria shown can be completed within the FTP required ~11 miles in a controlled environment such as a dyno test or test track.

A "customer driving cycle" may vary according to traffic patterns, route selection and distance traveled, which may not allow the "diagnostic trip" to be fully completed each time the vehicle is operated.