Readiness Monitors | JUST SMOGS® + Repair

February 2017 California Smog Check FAQ

Posted on February 21, 2017 by MasterTech

Smog Check Frequently Asked Questions for February 2017

How do I determine what year a car needs a smog check?

Does my RV require a smog check in California?

Smog Check Frequently Asked Questions for January 2017

Why did my car fail for incomplete OBD II readiness monitors? I Thought the rule was that my 1996-2001 car could pass with two incomplete readiness monitors.

How do I submit my smog test?

You don’t need to “submit” your smog test. The results of your smog inspection were electronically transmitted and submitted to the State of California at the conclusion of the smog inspection.

How do I determine what year a car needs a smog check?

Gasoline, Flex, CNG, LNG, LPG Powered Vehicles

1976 to current model year vehicles are subject to smog inspection.

All 1976 and newer model year vehicles entering the State of California require a smog certification prior to initial registration

Change of ownership smog inspections are required after the fourth model year

For example:

A 2016 model year gasoline powered vehicle would be subject to change of ownership smog inspections beginning in 2020 (2016 + 4 = 2020).

Biennial (Every two years) smog inspections begin after the sixth model year.

For example:

A 2016 model year gasoline powered vehicle would be subject to biennial smog inspections beginning in 2022 (2016 + 6 = 2022).

A good rule of thumb is that even number model years are due for smog inspections on even numbered years. Odd numbered model years are due on odd number years.

For example:

This year (2017) we started performing biennial smog inspections 2011 model year vehicles. We’re also inspecting 2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001, 1999, etc.

Hybrid

The only difference between hybrid/gasoline powered vehicles is that hybrids become subject to smog inspections beginning with model year 2000 instead of 1976.

Diesel

Diesel powered vehicles under 14,000 pounds GVWR become subject to biennial smog inspections beginning with the 1998 model year.

Unlike the vehicles described above, diesels do not have a four year change of ownership exemption, nor do diesels have a six year new vehicle exemption.

Does my RV require a smog check in California?

In most cases, the answer is yes.

If your your 1976 or newer motor home (RV) is gasoline powered, and more than four years old, it is subject to smog inspections in the state of California.

If your 1998 or newer motor home (RV) is diesel powered and has a GVWR of 14,000 pounds or less it is subject to smog inspections in the state of California.

Click here for more information about smog requirements by vehicle type.

Why did my car fail for incomplete OBD II readiness monitors. I Thought the rule was that my 1996-2001 car could pass with two incomplete readiness monitors.

Emission test rules previously allowed for a car to pass the smog inspection with two incomplete readiness monitors; however the rules changed effective May 4, 2015.

Most 1996 – 1999 model year gasoline powered vehicles will fail the California smog inspection if two or more OBD II monitors are incomplete. Any one OBD 2 readiness monitor can be incomplete and a gasoline powered car will pass the smog inspection.

Most 2000 and newer gasoline powered vehicles are subject to stricter rules. A 2000 or newer model year vehicle will fail the smog inspection if any monitor other than the EVAP monitor is incomplete.

Most 1998 – 2006 OBD II certified diesel powered vehicles will fail the smog inspection if any monitors are incomplete. All OBD II monitors must be complete in order for a 1998 – 2006 model year OBD II certified diesel powered vehicle to pass the California state smog inspection.

Most 2007 and newer model year OBD II diesel powered vehicles can pass with two incomplete monitors. If more than two monitors are incomplete the vehicle will fail the smog inspection.

Some vehicles are known to have difficulties completing OBD II monitors and may be subject to different rules. For more information see the Smog Check OBD Reference.

Smog Check Frequently Asked Questions for January 2017

How many readiness monitors have to be complete to pass smog?

What if I cannot get my smog test in California before it is due?

Can I go to another smog check station after failing?

The shop that failed my car also does repairs, can I go someplace else for repairs?

A relative gave me a car, do I need a smog inspection?

If my check engine light doesn’t turn on at all will I pass smog?

If you fail OBD II on a smog check, should your overall smog fail?

OBD II Monitor Drive Cycle Service

Posted on December 13, 2016 by MasterTech

In recent years the California Bureau of Automotive Repairs (BAR) and the California Air Resource Board (CARB) have increasingly shifted the emphasis of the California emissions program to on-board diagnostic trouble codes & monitor readiness. This is especially true for 2000 and newer model year vehicles.

If you are having trouble completing OBD II readiness monitors on your 1996 or newer vehicle, the licensed professionals at Just Smogs® in Huntington Beach can help.

OBD II Monitor Recap

What are OBD II readiness monitors?

The short answer is that OBD II readiness monitors are usually something that average motorists never have to worry about until they have a reason to worry.

OBD II readiness monitors are self tests run by a vehicle’s on board diagnostic system. OBD II monitors have two states: ‘ready’ and ‘not ready’. Some scanners and code readers may display ‘complete’ , ‘incomplete’ , comp, inc, etc. It all comes down to whether or not a test has been run to completion.

When one of these test fails, the check engine light is illuminated; otherwise, a driver normally has no indication that OBD II readiness monitors exist.

So what’s the problem?

It’s not uncommon for OBD II readiness monitors to be reset following repairs. This is especially true if the check engine light was on.

If a vehicle’s power train control module (PCM – ‘The Computer’) loses power due to a dead or depleted battery, or if diagnostic trouble codes are cleared using a scan tool, all readiness monitors are automatically set to incomplete/not ready.

Incomplete readiness monitors aren’t something that you have to worry about unless your vehicle is due for a smog inspection.

Readiness monitors are run in the background and by design do not affect driveability, safety, or fuel economy, but they are an important part of the California smog inspection program.

In order for a vehicle to pass a smog inspection in the state of California, most OBD 2 monitors must be run to completion. For example, in order for most 2000 and newer gasoline powered vehicles to pass the smog inspection all monitors with the exception of the evap monitor must be complete. If any monitor other than the evap monitor is incomplete the vehicle will fail the smog inspection.

If you’ve ever had an issue with OBD II readiness monitors, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “Drive it fifty to one-hundred miles and you should be fine”.

I drove my car hundreds of miles, and it still isn’t ready!

Some cars are known to have issues that can make completing OBD II readiness monitors extremely difficult.

BAR maintains a list of such vehicles and possible solutions (The Smog Check OBD II Reference).

Very often the solution involves following a very specific drive pattern that some motorists find difficult to complete during their normal driving routine. That’s when Just Smogs® can help.

Just Smogs® OBD II Drive Cycle Service

If your vehicle is otherwise in good repair, and you are having difficulties completing the OBD II drive cycle, the professionals at Just Smogs® can complete the drive cycle on most vehicles that do not require further repair or diagnosis.

This service offering does not include any diagnostics or repairs that may be necessary to enable the OBD II drive cycle, nor does it include diagnostics or repairs that may become necessary should the drive cycle trigger a diagnostic trouble code or check engine light.

Of course in most cases you should be able to complete the drive cycle yourself with no more effort than a Sunday drive, but in case you can’t, the professionals at Just Smogs® are here to help.

For more information about Just Smogs® OBD II drive cycle service, call (714) 596-1019.

Check OBD II Monitor Readiness Without A Scan Tool

Posted on August 4, 2016 by MasterTech

It is possible to check OBD II monitor readiness on many late model vehicles without connecting a scan tool. This can often be necessary in order to determine if your car is ready for its California smog inspection.

What is OBD II monitor readiness?

On 1996 and newer model year vehicles, the on board diagnostic system (OBDII) performs up to eleven diagnostic checks of vehicle emission control systems. These checks are performed in the background during normal driving and are designed not to interfere with vehicle performance or safety.

If a fault is detected, the power train control module (PCM – The computer) illuminates the malfunction indicator light (MIL – Check Engine – Service Vehicle Soon).

If the PCM loses power for any reason (Including a disconnected or depleted battery), or if diagnostic trouble codes are cleared using a diagnostic scan tool, readiness monitors will indicate an incomplete, or not ready, status.

In most cases, a vehicle with incomplete readiness monitors will not pass the California smog inspection (See New Readiness Monitor Standards For OBD II Functional Inspection).

Driving the vehicle under conditions that meet the monitor enabling criteria should complete most OBD II monitors. This is usually accomplished after fifty to one-hundred miles of normal driving.

How to check monitors without a scan tool

In most cases, the correct procedure is outlined in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Consult your owner’s manual for information specific to the car you drive.

However, the following procedures are presented as examples. They may not apply to your specific vehicle.

Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Vehicles

To determine if readiness OBD II monitors are complete:

Turn the ignition key to the “on” position for 15 seconds without cranking the engine.
If the “Service Engine Soon” light blinks eight times, one or more readiness monitors are incomplete.
If the service engine soon indicator stays on solid, all readiness monitors are complete.

This procedure was included in the Owner’s Manual for a 2012 Ford Focus. This same procedure may apply to other models and model year Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles.

For Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge

The owner’s manual states that the vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test, which you can use prior to going to the test station. To check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must do the following:

Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position, but do not crank or start the engine. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start this test over.
As soon as you turn the ignition switch to the ON position, you will see the MIL (Check Engine Light) symbol come on as part of a normal bulb check.
Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will happen:
1. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then return to being fully illuminated until you turn OFF the ignition or start the engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD II system is not ready and you should not proceed to the smog check station.
2. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully illuminated until you turn OFF the ignition or start the engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready and you can proceed to the smog check station.

Honda/Acura

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.

Smog Check OBD Reference Update

Posted on April 5, 2016 by MasterTech

The Bureau of Automotive Repair has issued an update to the Smog Check OBD Reference Guide. The update includes new service bulletins, emissions recalls and information on the following vehicles:

BMW 323i: ECM reflash recall is needed to set oxygen sensor monitor.
2000-2001 Nissan Maxima and Infinity I30: New catalyst may be needed to run catalyst monitor.
2001 Chevrolet Silverado and Tahoe C/K 1500: Send to BAR Referee only if secondary air monitor is not running.
2002 Chevrolet Silverado C/K 2500 HD Diesel: Send to BAR Referee only if EGR monitor is not running.
2009 Kia Borrego LX/EX: Send to BAR Referee only if EGR monitor is not running.
1999-2006 Nissan UD1200 Box Truck (10-14K GVWR, Federal Diesel): Not equipped with OBD, BAR-OIS skips OBD test.
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.4 liter turbo: Catalyst monitor not running. BAR-OIS allows any one monitor.
2001-2002 Chevrolet Cavalier CNG: Catalyst monitor not running. BAR-OIS allows any one monitor to be incomplete.