How to Set Your Car's Emissions Drive Cycle
Repairs done? Codes cleared? Now monitors must reset to 'READY' via drive cycle. Your personal mechanic, David Jr., guides execution. Arizona standards: 1996–2000 vehicles ≤2 NOT READY allowed; 2001+ vehicles only ≤1 NOT READY allowed. Expert consultation. Note: Apex diagnoses and repairs — the actual emissions test must be performed at an official ADEQ testing station.
After completing emissions-related repairs and clearing diagnostic trouble codes, your vehicle's on-board computer must verify that the systems are functioning correctly. This verification process is accomplished through a specific sequence of driving conditions known as a drive cycle. The purpose of the drive cycle is to run all of the on-board diagnostics, or readiness monitors, to confirm that the emissions systems are working as designed. In Arizona, passing an emissions test requires most of these monitors to be in a ‘READY’ state. For vehicles model year 2001 and newer, only one monitor is permitted to be ‘NOT READY.’ For vehicles from 1996 to 2000, two monitors can be in the ‘NOT READY’ state. Simply driving around town may not be sufficient to set all the monitors. Each manufacturer has a unique, and often complex, drive cycle procedure that must be followed precisely. These procedures often involve a combination of cold starts, steady-state cruising at various speeds, and periods of deceleration. Without the correct procedure, you could drive for hundreds of miles and still have incomplete monitors, leading to a failed emissions test. At Apex Automotive, we take the guesswork out of this process. As your personal mechanic, David Jr. provides expert guidance on the specific drive cycle procedure for your vehicle. We ensure that you understand the steps required to get your car ready for its ADEQ test. It is important to remember that Apex Automotive is a diagnostic and repair facility — we do not administer, perform, or conduct emissions tests. Our role is to ensure your vehicle is properly prepared to pass the test at an official ADEQ testing station. The process can be frustrating for vehicle owners, as the requirements are not intuitive. For example, a certain monitor might require the vehicle to be driven at a specific speed for a set duration, which can be difficult to achieve in normal city driving. This is where professional guidance becomes invaluable. We can provide you with the exact steps for your make and model, saving you time and preventing the frustration of a failed test due to unset monitors. We have the tools and knowledge to verify that each monitor has run and is ready, giving you confidence before you head to the testing station.