The catalyst monitor on many Toyota vehicles can be difficult to complete. That’s why it’s important to follow the Toyota recommended drive cycle after performing actions that are known to clear your Toyota’s computer memory.
Remember, all on-board diagnostic monitors are cleared when the battery is disconnected, or when the power train control module (PCM) is cleared with a scan tool.
CATALYST MONITOR DRIVE CYCLE INSTRUCTIONS
- Do not turn off the ignition switch during the test procedure.
- Allow the vehicle to run at idle until warmed up.
- Drive at a steady speed between 40 and 70 MPH for 10 minutes. It’s a good idea to stay in the middle of this range, so 55 MPH is optimal.
- It may take several attempts and warm up cycles to complete the drive cycle.
Do you have a drive pattern for 2004 Toyota Higlander? I am having a hard time to get the Catalyst ready.
Hi Charlie, sorry for the late reply. Per Toyota, the following drive cycle should run the catalyst monitor on 2004 Toyota Highlanders:
CATALYST MONITOR DRIVE CYCLE INSTRUCTIONS
If several reasonable attempts at running the drive cycle fail to complete the catalyst monitor, a problem may exist that is preventing your vehicle from running the monitor to completion. In that case, it may be time to have your vehicle properly diagnosed and repaired by a shop that has the training, equipment, and experience necessary to diagnose and repair OBD monitor issues.
2004 Toyota Highlander Drive Cycle for Catalyst Readiness Monitor:
– Allow vehicle to warm up.
– Drive at a steady speed between 40 and 70 mph for 10 minutes
Do you have a drive pattern for a 2001 Toyota Solara SL6?
Hi Paulette,
For a 2001 Toyota, I would go with our standard 1996-2002 Toyota drive cycle as found on our website.
We have a 2000 4Runner with the same issue of the catalyst drive monitor not being “ready.” How can I find the drive cycle for a 2000 4Runner “Per Toyota?” I’ve found several suggestions online, but they differ quite a bit from each other. I figure I better go with the manufacturer suggestion, but can’t find it. Thank you!
Toyota’s TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) number EG003-02 details the correct readiness monitor drive cycles for 1996 to 2002 model year toyota vehicles http://www.toyotaparts.metro-toyota.com/READINESS_MONITOR_DRIVE_PATTERNS_T-EG02-003.pdf
I have a 2000 Tundra and the Catalyst monitor would not go ready even after driving over 400 miles… I had tried several other drive patterns with no luck. I found this link and did the drive pattern #3 as instructed and it worked. Just posting because I had seen many other complaining about the Catalyst monitor…it was a extreme pain in the butt to find a road where I could do the pattern of 40-50 for 3-7min and 35-45 for 7 min. uninterrupted. Due to stoplights I had to rerun the pattern 3 times before it worked. But DO USE THIS GUIDE! Thanks Julius!
Hi Mark,
Glad it worked for you! Thanks for the feedback.
Danny
JUST SMOGS
What’s the drive cycle link you found ?
hi Mark,
how did you come to stop? Do you have to use brakes? i’ve read many posts saying i should not brake or use clutch to down shift.
Thank you.
my car is 2001 toyota celica gts
Hi Thomas,
Braking is absolutely fine for drive cycles. Just try to accelerate and brake smoothly.
This link in not working for me
Hi Jen,
What link isn’t working for you?
Is this the same for a 97 tercel
It should be.
What about a 2002 toyota celica? Manual trans
Yes, I believe that the 1996 to 2002 Toyota OBD II Catalyst Monitor Readiness Drive Patterns, should also apply to your 2002 Toyota Celica.
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I have a 2003 Toyota Camry LE 4cyl, should this work for me too?
Hi Krista,
Although the drive cycle for a 2003 Toyota Camry might be slightly different, it’s worth giving it a try. As long as all the emission systems are working correctly, the readiness monitors should complete without setting a fault code (DTC) by the end of the drive cycle.
2004 Toyota Solara 2.4L 4 cyl engine. Drive Cycle for Evap, Catalyst ?
Hi Tom,
I would go with the standard Toyota drive cycle listed on our website. Catalyst: allow warm up at idle from cold start / drive 55-60 mph steady for 10 minutes. EVAP can be trickier on some models.
After my car had its smog check and passed the engine light came on and I then took to repaire shop and they replaced a sensor . Light was off for about 4 hours and has been on ever since. the car runs fine and the shop has no idea what problem is. HELP
Hi Sandra,
What is the year and model of the vehicle? What is the fault code (ie P0135)? Which sensor did your mechanic replace?
Danny
Just Smogs
Hi Sandra,
A couple of questions … What is the year and model of the vehicle? What fault code (ie P0135) before and after the repair? Exactly what sensor was replaced?
Danny
Just Smogs
Hello,
Do you know the drive cycle for an Evap Monitor for a 2001Toyota Camry LE V6?
Hi Luke,
The EVAP Monitor is not required to be complete (Ready) in order to pass the California smog check. According to my software the EVAP monitor drive cycle for a 2001 Toyota Camry is to: Drive at 45 mph for 5 minutes (steady) then decelerate to 25 mph for 15 minutes then back to idle.
Danny
Just Smogs
Catalyst monitor drive cycle for 2005 Toyota rav4?
Hi Jonathan,
2005 Toyota Rav 4 catalyst monitor drive cycle is usually relatively simple. We have success running them at 55-60mph (w/ a/c off) for about 10 minutes.
Good luck,
Danny
Just Smogs
What is the drive pattern for the Catalyst monitor for a 2005 Toyota Rav4?
Hi Jonathan,
2005 Toyota Rav 4 catalyst monitor drive cycle is usually relatively simple. We have success running them at 55-60mph (w/ a/c off) for about 10 minutes.
Good luck,
Danny
Just Smogs
Hello, I have been working on my drive cycle for weeks. Its just taking my catalytic converter a long time to be ready. No engine light for the past 500miles. Recently had a thermostat replaced. I drove 55mph for 200miles…Speed to 70mph and cruise down to 15mph with no brakes (2 times.)
Toyota Solara 2003 V6. Please help, as I will take your advice for this upcoming weekend (drive cycle.) Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Hello Sonny,
First, I would double check that the proper thermostat was installed. For some vehicles, a precondition for the catalyst monitor to complete is for the vehicle to reach a particular temperature. We have diagnosed and repaired defective (or incorrect) thermostat issues that have prevented readiness. A basic scan tool and infrared thermometer are required to diagnose thermostat/ect sensor issues.
Good luck,
Danny
Just Smogs
Just Smogs Danny and Co. You guys are great, will try this with my 2002 Sienna. Cheers, Terry
Hey guys, what should be drive pattern for 2001 toyota solara l4? The cat monitor wont just come on..
Hi Alan,
Toyota drive cycles for catalyst monitors usually consist of driving the vehicle at highway speed (55-60 mph) for about 10 minutes (A/C off).
Be aware that some vehicles have trouble setting “Ready” for the cat monitor if the converter is slightly defective. We’ve had customers drop their vehicles off for our drive cycle service after hundreds of miles driven without success. After our technician drives the vehicle a pending P0420 or P0430 DTC appears in the system, indicating a potentially defective catalytic converter. With that said, more often than not, the monitor is set without fault codes if you follow the procedure above.
Good luck,
Danny
JUST SMOGS
Just bought a used 2007 RAV4. Catalytic Converter, Evap System, and Oxygen Sensor showing not ready. Tried twice. No check engine codes. What is the drive cycle for 2007 RAV4?
Hi Angela,
Toyota drive cycles are generally fairly simple as long as there aren’t any preexisting conditions with the vehicle. We usually start the vehicle in the morning (A/C off) and allow the vehicle to idle for 10-15 minutes. Then we drive in stop and go traffic to our local highway and drive for about 10 minutes at 60 mph. This process usually completes all monitors (except EVAP) after a few tries. For most Toyotas, we find that we do not need to follow the manufacturer specified drive cycle exactly. Remember, your Rav4 will still pass a smog check even with EVAP monitor “Not Ready”.
Good luck!
Danny
JUST SMOGS
Huntington Beach