A drive cycle is one of the methods used by a vehicle's powertrain control module (PCM) to determine whether an emissions system repair was performed successfully . It involves a special test drive that duplicates the scenario of a person starting the car and making a short freeway trip, as if driving to work.
What does a drive cycle include?
The road test of a typical drive cycle involves a highway and two road driving sessions . ... Once the road test has been completed, pull into a parking spot, let the engine idle for a few minutes, and then shut off the engine.
How do you complete a Ford drive cycle?
Stop vehicle and repeat without overdrive to 64 Km/h (40 MPH) cruising for at least 30 seconds. While at 64 Km/h (40 MPH) , activate overdrive and accelerate to 80 Km/h (50 MPH) and cruise for at least 15 seconds. Stop for at least 20 seconds and repeat step 10 five times.
What does a drive cycle do?
The purpose of the drive cycle is to run your vehicle's onboard diagnostics . This, in turn, allows monitors to operate and detect potential malfunctions of your vehicle's emission system. The correct drive cycle for your vehicle can vary greatly, depending on the vehicle model and the monitors that need to be reset.
How do I clear my drive cycle?
- Clear all OBD II error codes with your OBD2 Scanner. ...
- Ensure your fuel tank is somewhere between 30% and 70% full.
- Check the quality of your battery and alternator. ...
- Let your vehicle rest for eight hours. ...
- Start your car, put it in the park or neutral, and let it idle for two or three minutes.
How many miles do you need to pass emissions?
You will be required to drive between 100-200 miles and over the course of a week in order to reset or “complete” the emission monitors. This period of driving is referred to as a “Drive Cycle”.
How far do you have to drive to reset computer?
Here's something you probably don't know: after clearing the car's computer you will need to drive for about 50 to 100 miles . As you drive your car the computer will monitor all the sensors and register the results. You can use GOFAR to constantly monitor your car diagnostics.
What is the difference between a trip and a warm up cycle?
A drive cycle or trip, by the way, is not just an ignition cycle, but a warm-up cycle. It is defined as starting the engine and driving the vehicle long enough to raise the coolant temperature at least 40 degrees F (if the startup temperature is less than 160 degrees F).
Does a drive cycle have to be continuous?
Continuous monitors are different in design from the non-continuous ones. ... Some monitors require that the car follows a predefined drive cycle routine. Some require two drive cycles because of the need for a cool down and warm up periods between. Each emission monitor can have different requirements for the conditions.
How do I get rid of permanent OBD code?
Permanent Diagnostic Trouble Codes (PDTCs) are very similar to regular Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). However, unlike regular DTCs, they cannot be reset by disconnecting the vehicle's battery or cleared using an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) scan tool.
Do you have to clear codes after repair?
The DTC could be from the accident, from the repair process, or a previous issue altogether. Simply deleting these codes can leave the door open for problems further on. If the code was from a previous issue, it could hinder future diagnostics.
How long does it take for EVAP monitor to reset?
For four minutes , start the engine, then drive in stop-and-go traffic for five minutes using smooth accelerations and decelerations. Stop for 4 minutes. The EVAP monitor should be done.
How do you pass an emissions test trick?
- Get an oil change. ...
- Inflate your tires. ...
- Get a tune-up. ...
- Warm your car up. ...
- Resolve an illuminated check engine light. ...
- Use a fuel additive. ...
- Pretest or free retest.
How do you tell if OBD codes have been cleared?
If the vehicle does not support the above datapoints you can use the smog check feature to check for indications of codes being recently cleared. When codes are cleared all vehicle emissions tests are reset and will display a status of ‘not complete'.
How do I test my monitor readiness?
To check if the readiness codes are set, turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position , without starting the engine. The MIL will come on for 20 seconds. If it then goes off, the readiness monitors are set. If it blinks five times, the readiness monitors are not set.
