A Consumer Guide to Readiness Monitor Failures as Part of the New York State Vehicle Inspection Program
What is a Readiness Monitor?
Vehicles equipped with On Board Diagnostic II (OBDII), which includes most 1996 or newer gasoline-powered vehicles and most 1997 or newer diesel-powered vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less than 8,501 pounds, self-test their emission systems utilizing various monitors. Vehicles perform up to 11 system tests, depending on year, make and model of the vehicle. These tests are commonly referred to as "readiness monitors." The readiness monitors identify whether the vehicle's computer has completed the required "tests" while the vehicle is being driven.
If a test has been completed, the system status will be reported "ready." An uncompleted test will be reported "not ready." An OBDII vehicle will not pass the annual inspection unless the required monitors are "ready." The Vehicle Inspection Report from the test equipment will identify monitors that are not ready.
The test equipment reads the OBDII and readiness monitor status as part of the vehicle's emissions inspection. The vehicle inspector cannot change the information reported by the vehicle.
How Many Monitors Have to be Ready?
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines allow up to two monitors to be in a "not ready" state for model year 1996 through 2000 vehicles and one monitor "not ready" for 2001 or newer model year vehicles.
What Causes a "Not-Ready" Report?
Causes of a "not ready" report:
- Recent vehicle repairs in which diagnostic trouble codes have been cleared with a OBDII scan tool; or,
- if the battery had been recently disconnected or replaced; or,
- if the vehicle's computer requires a software update; or,
- a pending problem has not yet illuminated the "check engine" light.
What Do I Do Now?
To allow your vehicle's monitors to perform their tests and reset them to a "ready" state, your vehicle will have to be driven in a special way called a "drive cycle." Running through the drive cycle sets the readiness monitors so they can detect any emissions failures. Your vehicle's specific drive cycle can depend on the vehicle make and model, and which monitor needs to be reset. In most cases, two drive cycles are required, separated by a cool down period.
What Are My Options?
If the only reason your vehicle failed the inspection was due to readiness monitors not being in a "ready" state, and your current inspection has already expired, the inspection software will issue a 10-day extension that will allow you to legally operate your vehicle on the highways. During those ten days, you can either:
- Drive the vehicle as directed by your owner’s manual (look under OBD); use the generic drive cycle on the back of this brochure; or consult with a qualified auto technician who can tell you how to complete a vehicle or monitor specific drive cycle. Be sure to return to the inspection station within ten days to get the vehicle re-inspected.
- Negotiate with the inspection station to have a technician perform the drive cycles according to manufacturer specific guidelines for a fee you will pay.
If you take the vehicle from the inspection facility to perform the drive cycle yourself, the inspection station operator can charge you an emission re-inspection fee, up to the maximum fee allowed for an original emission inspection.
How Do I Avoid This in the Future?
Tips to consider:
- If your check engine light comes on, do not wait until your annual inspection to get your vehicle repaired. Not only will it help clean the air, but it could save you a lot of time, as well as future repair and fuel costs.
- Refer to your owner's manual to see if your car has a readiness monitor check. Some newer model vehicles have this function programmed in, which enables you to check your vehicle's monitors before an inspection.
- Inspect your vehicle early! Do not wait until the end of the month to get your annual inspection.
Generic Drive Cycle
The purpose of the OBDII 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. When a specific drive cycle is not known, or drive cycle information is not available from an owner's manual, the generic cycle described below may assist with resetting your vehicle's monitors. However, this generic cycle may not work for all vehicles.
IMPORTANT: If you choose to use the generic drive cycle below, you must obey all traffic laws and drive in a safe manner. Also, be sure the required preconditions are met prior to performing the drive cycle.
- The OBDII drive cycle begins with a cold start (coolant temperature below 122 degrees F and the coolant and air temperature sensors within 11 degrees of each other).
- The ignition key must not be left on prior to the cold start – otherwise the heated oxygen sensor diagnostic may not run.
- As soon as the engine starts, idle the engine in drive for two and one-half minutes, with the air conditioning (A/C) and rear defrost turned on, if equipped.
- Turn the A/C and rear defrost off, and accelerate to 55 mph under moderate, constant acceleration. Hold at a steady speed of 55 mph for three minutes.
- Decelerate (coast down) to 20 mph without braking (or depressing the clutch for manual transmissions).
- Accelerate again back to 55 to 60 mph.
- Hold at a steady speed of 55 to 60 mph for five minutes. Decelerate (coast down) to a stop without braking.
For additional information, see Inspection Requirements
NEW YORK STATEDEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Mark J. F. Schroeder,Commissioner
C-114 (2/07) Edited for the internet 6/14
Return to DMV Publications
FAQs
How do you fix an EVAP system not ready? ›
if the evap monitor is not ready, verify that your fuel cap is tight and the level of fuel is between 1/4 and 3/4 full. if all the other monitors are ready, then do a couple more "cold" starts.
How do I reset my readiness monitor? ›Start the engine and idle the engine in drive for two and half minutes, with the A/C and rear defroster on if equipped. Turn the A/C and rear defroster off, and speed up to 90 km/h (55 mph) under moderate, constant acceleration. Hold at a steady speed for three minutes.
Can you pass emissions with one monitor not ready? ›The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines allow up to two monitors to be in a "not ready" state for model year 1996 through 2000 vehicles and one monitor "not ready" for 2001 or newer model year vehicles.
How many miles does it take to reset readiness monitors? ›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.
What causes EVAP failure? ›An EVAP trouble code could be caused by something as simple as a loose or worn gas cap, a leak in a hose, problems with a purge valve or even a rusty fuel filler pipe. When your Check Engine light comes on, bring your vehicle into the Atlantic Motorcar Center team and let us check it out.
Can I pass emissions with EVAP not ready? ›During an emissions test, the emissions testing analyzer checks the status of the readiness monitors. The status of a completed readiness monitor will be "ready". The status of an uncompleted readiness monitor will be "not ready". If too many readiness monitors are not ready, your vehicle will fail an emissions test.
How many monitors need to be ready for inspection? ›There are three continuous readiness monitors: comprehensive components (any monitored sensor that is not part of another monitor), fuel system, and • misfire. All three continuous monitors in gasoline vehicles must be supported and ready to pass the OBD test.
How many miles is a complete drive cycle? ›Drive cycles vary by manufacturer and can be reset in as little as 20 miles by a qualified technician (like us) since we have the knowledge and experience but if the normal everyday driver just drives 75-100 miles like they normally would (a mix of highway and city driving) the drive cycle can be completed.
How long is a drive cycle on a car? ›A complete driving cycle should perform diagnostics on all systems. A complete driving cycle can be done in under fifteen minutes. Some "logged" codes require 5-8 complete drive cycles before they will reset (and can't be reset easily via the OBD2 port).
How long do I need to drive my car to reset the computer? ›Drive 10-15 miles to allow the ECU to adapt and read data. If your check engine light comes on again, your car might be suffering from a severe issue. Consider having your car diagnosed for trouble codes to determine whether you need to take it to a professional mechanic.
How do I know if my drive cycle is complete? ›
Take your emissions test again after the scanner reads clear. After a few days of driving, plug the OBD-II back into the port and run another scan. If the error codes disappear and everything is green, you've confirmed that the drive cycle is complete and your car will pass the emissions test.
How do you complete a drive cycle to pass emissions? ›15 minutes of steady driving on an expressway/highway followed by 20 minutes of stop-and-go driving with at least four 30-second idle periods. Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle.
Does clearing codes reset readiness? ›Clearing the codes will completely reset your readiness flags. It will take a few drive cycles before you would be able to pass an OBDII emissions inspection.
Why is my EVAP monitor not ready? ›A “not ready” result means your vehicle's computer has not had a chance to check all of the parts of the emissions control system for problems – so it cannot determine if everything is working as designed. Until the vehicle is “ready” to complete the checks, the OBD inspection cannot complete.
How much does it cost to fix EVAP system? ›After all, the average rate for repairs of the evaporative emissions system, also called the EVAP system, ranges from $200 to $560, which is a small price to pay to fix a Check Engine Light when you consider all the possibilities.
Can I drive with an EVAP leak? ›Yes, you are still safe to drive. The EVAP (Evaporated Emission Control System) is used to prevent gasoline vapors from escaping into the air from the fuel tank system to control greenhouse emissions.
How does EVAP system test itself? ›The EVAP system monitor checks for fuel vapor leaks by performing either a pressure or vacuum test on the fuel system. For 1996 through 1999 vehicles, the federal standard allows leaks up to the equivalent of a hole . 040 inches in diameter in a fuel vapor hose or filler cap.
How long does it take to fix an EVAP? ›It can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Replacing your gas cap is the easiest and cheapest fix for around $20, while locating an EVAP leak in either the vacuum feed lines or charcoal canister may be more difficult and run you upwards of $600.
Does EVAP affect how vehicle runs? ›An EVAP malfunction rarely affects vehicle performance (unless the purge valve is leaking) or driver comfort in any way. But that doesn't mean you should ignore a problem with the EVAP system; on the contrary, an EVAP failure is almost guaranteed to prevent your car from passing a state emissions test.
How do you pass an EVAP monitor? ›Start the engine and idle for four minutes, then drive in stop-and-go traffic for five minutes using smooth accelerations and decelerations. Stop and idle for 4 minutes. The EVAP monitor should be complete.
How many monitors can you run at once? ›
Most motherboards can run with only two monitors set up with their integrated graphics. However, if you have a discreet graphics card, there will be at least three ports, excluding the ones on your motherboard. You can use ports on your graphics card and motherboard for a multi-monitor setup.
How often do monitors fail? ›How long do monitors last? On average, a computer monitor will last anywhere from 30,000 to 60,000 hours. This translates to anywhere from 10 to 20 years of use, assuming it is being accessed around eight hours per day.
How many cycles does it take to clear check engine light? ›Will your check engine light turn off by itself? In most cases, successfully repairing the issue that caused your light to come on will cause the check engine light to turn off automatically—but only after 10 to 20 “cycles”.
How many miles do I need to drive after changing battery? ›Once you have drained all residual power from your ECU, reconnect the battery and start the car again. Drive 10-15 miles to allow the ECU to adapt and read data. If your check engine light comes on again, your car might be suffering from a severe issue.
How many miles should you drive at once? ›As a general rule, it's safe to drive for no longer than eight hours a day, taking breaks of at least 15 minutes every two hours. This means you can safely drive for around 500 miles, not taking into account external factors such as slowing for tolls, traffic, travelling with children, and tiredness.
How do you force a 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.
The four-stroke principle upon which most modern automobile engines work was discovered by a French engineer, Alphonse Beau de Rochas, in 1862, a year before Lenoir ran his car from Paris to Joinville-le-Pont. The four-stroke cycle is often called the Otto cycle, after the German Nikolaus…
How much does it cost to reset a car computer? ›The pricing for this can vary depending on the amount of work to fix it and the parts needed. Generally, this can be between $80 and $180.
Can a car computer reset itself? ›On some older cars, disconnecting the battery will reset the system but in most new cars it does nothing, except potentially reset the clock and radio station presets.
Does factory reset clean drive? ›Factory Reset a Computer
For most purposes, you can assume that you have deleted everything on the computer, and that's okay for most people. However, that information still lives on your hard drive and will stay there until it has either been overwritten by new information or completely destroyed.
What is a full car cycle? ›
A drive cycle is a series of trips, usually one or two, that a vehicle is required to undergo so that the powertrain control module (PCM) can trigger the monitoring systems into readiness states allowing for retrieval of diagnostic data.
What can I put in my gas tank to pass emissions? ›CRC Guaranteed To Pass® is compatible with gasoline engines. One bottle can be added to the half-full fuel tank at any time and will work its magic. The unique formula reduces carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxide (NO) emissions.
How do you manually test an EVAP system? ›Smoke Test – The idea behind the smoke test is simple, blow smoke into the EVAP system and look for smoke escaping from a compromised valve, seal, tube, or hose. Smoke testing is the best way to test the EVAP system. At the same time, it's also either the most expensive or bravest method of doing to.
How do I force my EVAP monitor to ready? ›Start the engine and idle for four minutes, then drive in stop-and-go traffic for five minutes using smooth accelerations and decelerations. Stop and idle for 4 minutes. The EVAP monitor should be complete.
How long does it take to complete a drive cycle? ›A complete driving cycle should perform diagnostics on all systems. A complete driving cycle can be done in under fifteen minutes. Some "logged" codes require 5-8 complete drive cycles before they will reset (and can't be reset easily via the OBD2 port).
Can you drive with EVAP? ›Yes, you are still safe to drive. The EVAP (Evaporated Emission Control System) is used to prevent gasoline vapors from escaping into the air from the fuel tank system to control greenhouse emissions.
Can I fix an EVAP leak myself? ›Depending on where the leak is in the system and whether or not there is another damage, you can expect to pay up to $600 or so to fix a leak in your vehicle's EVAP system. If you have an OBD2 code reader at home, you can diagnose the problem yourself, but it's best to leave the fixing to the professionals.
Is EVAP code serious? ›While EVAP problems don't generally lead to vehicle damage, the fact that they trigger the Check Engine light can mask other more serious problems if left unaddressed. After all, there are hundreds of conditions that can trigger a Check Engine light, but there is only one light.
What should my EVAP percentage be? ›Most vehicles use similar criteria for monitoring the evap system and will need 15 to 85 percent fuel level. If the fuel level is either above 85 percent or below 15 percent, the test won't run, and you'll likely spend hours and multiple drive cycles attempting to validate your repairs without success.
What controls EVAP system? ›The LDP is a diaphragm pump with solenoids and check valves that pumps air into the fuel tank and charcoal canister. The PCM controls the operation of the LDP during EVAP system monitoring. Once the EVAP system is pressurized the PCM can measure the system's pressure decay.
Can a loose gas cap cause EVAP leak? ›
Loose Gas Cap.
The most common cause of an EVAP leak warning, or the Check Engine Light, is the gas cap not being closed properly. If the cap is not fully tightened or closed all the way, the Check Engine Light may come on.
There are a variety of potential causes for EVAP system issues, including leaks, a missing or loose fuel cap, an incorrect type of fuel cap used on the vehicle or leaks in the fuel tank, evaporative emission canister, evaporative emission system hose, purge valve or vent valve.
Where is the EVAP sensor located? ›The fuel tank pressure sensor is part of the fuel pump assembly and is mounted on top of the tank or inside the tank. It's part of the evaporative emissions system (commonly referred to as “EVAP”) and reads pressure in the fuel system to detect evaporative leaks, such as a loose or faulty gas cap.