If you send us information before you finish the application, we will review it and make any appropriate determinations listed in §1048.215(b)(1) through (7). Decisions made under this section are considered to be preliminary approval. We will generally not disapprove applications under §1048.215(b)(1) through (5) where we have given you preliminary approval, unless we find new and substantial information supporting a different decision.

(a) If you request preliminary approval related to the upcoming model year or the model year after that, we will make a "best-efforts" attempt to make the appropriate determinations as soon as possible. We will generally not provide preliminary approval related to a future model year more than two years ahead of time.

(b) You may consider full compliance with published guidance to be preliminary approval only if the guidance includes a statement that we intend you to consider it as such.