Facing a smog check and your car isn’t ready? You’re not alone. Many car owners encounter the frustrating “Obd2 Monitors Not Ready” message, which can prevent your vehicle from passing emissions testing. This issue often arises after battery disconnection or recent car repairs, and it indicates that your car’s On-Board Diagnostic system hasn’t completed its self-tests.
To understand this better, let’s delve into what OBD2 monitors are and why they might show as “not ready”. Your car’s OBD2 system includes several monitors that continuously check different emission control systems, such as the Catalyst and Evaporative System (EVAP). These monitors need to run and complete their diagnostic cycles to confirm everything is working correctly. If these monitors are not ready, it means these tests are incomplete, and your car might fail the smog check even if there isn’t an actual problem.
So, how do you get these OBD2 monitors to a “ready” status? One common method is performing a drive cycle. A drive cycle is a specific set of driving conditions designed to allow your car’s computer to run all the necessary emission system tests. Different car manufacturers and models may have different drive cycle procedures.
Let’s look at a drive cycle specifically for a Toyota MR2 with a 2AZ-FE engine that can help reset monitors like Catalyst and EVAP. Please note that safety is paramount, always perform these steps in a safe location and obey all traffic laws.
Here is the Toyota MR2 Drive Cycle (Engine Class 2AZ-FE) to address OBD2 monitors not ready:
A. Start the engine and let it idle for at least 10 minutes.
B. Drive at a steady speed between 43-56 mph for 3 to 5 minutes, ensuring the engine speed stays between 900 and 3,200 rpm.
C. Stop and idle the engine for 3 to 5 minutes.
D. Repeat steps B and C once more.
E. Drive at 40 mph to 55 mph for 3 minutes.
F. Drive at 35 mph to 45 mph for 7 minutes.
G. Stop and turn off the engine. Release fuel tank pressure by briefly removing and reinstalling the fuel cap.
H. Restart the engine and immediately drive at approximately 45 mph for 5 minutes.
I. Drive at around 25 mph for 15 minutes, including at least two 30-second stops.
J. Stop and idle the engine for 2 minutes.
K. Drive at 25 mph or more for at least 50 seconds, keeping engine speed above 900 rpm.
L. Stop and idle for at least 40 seconds.
M. Repeat steps “K” and “L” ten times.
After completing these steps, if your OBD2 monitors still show as “not ready”, double-check that all preconditions for the drive cycle are met and repeat the entire process from step A.
To check if your OBD2 monitors are ready, you can use an OBD2 scanner. A basic scanner like the Autel MS309 can read OBD2 codes and display monitor status, saving you trips to a mechanic just to check readiness.
Having your OBD2 monitors in a “ready” state is crucial for passing a smog check. By understanding drive cycles and utilizing tools like OBD2 scanners, you can proactively address the “OBD2 Monitors Not Ready” issue and ensure your vehicle is compliant.
