Idle Air Trim: Notes

Idle air trim is designed to adjust the idle air control calibration to correct for wear and aging of components. When the engine conditions meet the learning requirement, the strategy monitors the engine and determines the values required for ideal idle calibration. The idle air trim values are stored in a table for reference. This table is used by the PCM as a correction factor when controlling the idle speed. The table is stored in the KAM and retains the learned values even after the engine is shut OFF. A DTC is set if the idle air trim has reached its learning limits.

Whenever an idle air control component is replaced, or a repair affecting idle is carried out, it is recommended the KAM be reset. This is necessary so the idle strategy does not use the previously learned idle air trim values.

To reset the KAM, Refer to Resetting The Keep Alive Memory (KAM). It is important to note that erasing DTCs with a scan tool does not reset the idle air trim table.

Once the KAM has been reset, the engine must idle for 15 minutes (actual time varies between strategies) to learn new idle air trim values. Idle quality improves as the strategy adapts. Adaptation occurs in 4 separate modes as shown in the following table.