If you want to pass your emission test and avoid the hefty fines, it is important that you know how long to drive after reset computer to pass emission test.
The good news is that no matter what type of car or truck you drive, there will be an amount of time before which you can safely take another emissions test. Then, how long is enough? Well, we’ve got you covered. Let’s keep on reading for all the details!
How Long To Drive After Reset Computer To Pass Emission Test?
You must drive your car for a certain amount of time to get ready for the emission test. The required amount can vary in different situations. It all comes down to the way you are driving since there are some required criteria to make sure the car’s computer shows correct readings on various sensors during testing.
Some cars are ready for the test after driving about 50 miles, but others need more driving time (100-200 miles) before it is completely safe. The reason for this discrepancy depends on a variety of factors that are monitored by safety systems in your vehicle.
Your vehicle can be equipped with 11 readiness monitors, which are responsible for the accuracy of emission levels. How these monitors will perform depends largely on your vehicle’s make and model, leading to the variety among the cars.
Why Does Your Car Need Resetting?
To pass carbon inspection
There are two reasons you might want your car to reset. The first is that the state requires it to pass a carbon inspection on your vehicle.
If they do not see any error codes go off when running a test, then this means there is no problem with how much pollution comes from the tailpipe of a particular car model during its regular use.
But if the testing center told you that your car failed the inspection because the computer still has not reset, then you might end up here wondering how far is close enough for your vehicle’s computer to reset and scan all of its systems.
To ensure your car’s health
Another reason for your car reset might refer to its conditions. For one thing, did a mechanic tell you that something is wrong with your vehicle? Resetting it will help ensure what they told you was true, and it is not just an attempt at upselling services or parts.
Sometimes, there are code trigger problems too. The computer in your car might send you a different code even when nothing is wrong with it. In this case, reset the engine and see if the same error comes up again.
Once the same code appears again, it means there are some errors in the related part. However, if it does not send out any more codes after a complete check, there is no reason to replace this part then.
What Factors Are Needed To Pass Emission Tests?
- The ‘Check Engine’ warning light and OBD port have been functional.
- The ‘Check Engine’ warning light is off.
- The built-in OBD-II system monitors are completed.
Decide on your emission test right after you clear and reset the ‘Check Engine’ light and the OBD-II monitors? Chances are that you won’t pass because these monitors require time to run.
So, how many miles to drive after resetting check engine light for inspection? You might need to drive it for a few days more and allow any fault codes along with their appearance to recur first.
If they do reappear, then address them and keep driving around until your vehicle becomes “ready” enough for an emission check; if it is not in that stage of readiness, there is a good chance that your car will automatically fail!
You can also test your car before the inspection to make sure it will pass without any issue. The steps are easy to follow:
Step 1: Connect to the OBDLink app on your phone.
Step 2: Choose ‘Monitors.’
Step 3: Open the menu icon in the top right corner and choose the state you want to check.
Step 4: Now you know your car condition as a ‘Not Ready’ warning or a “Ready” green check will appear automatically on your screen.
Final Thoughts
Has our post helped you understand why you need your car reset and how long to drive after reset computer to pass emission test? We hope these details we give can work well for you.
As a rule of thumb, it is always wise to keep your car in good shape. It will ensure that you can drive for as long as possible without breaking down and risking the lives of yourself or other drivers on the road!
