Taking your Honda Civic Hybrid to another smog testing facility will not get your car to pass the smog test. In other words, the smog station will not make the difference. It appears your Civic's OBD II emission monitors are not yet complete, specifically the catalyst monitor. Assuming there are no pending or active trouble codes stored in the ECU (engine control unit), and the check engine light is not on, the solution is to continue driving your Honda through the Honda Civic Hybrid drive cycle until the catalytic converter monitor becomes ready or complete.
The air/fuel sensor (commonly referred to as the oxygen sensor; though works a bit different) can be responsible for holding back the catalyst monitor but if the Honda dealer already inspected the sensors and updated the ECU (software), we have to assume the vehicle stills hasn't completed the drive cycle.
You might want to get a second diagnosis from either another Honda Dealer or smog check certified Honda specialist, but simply getting a smog check from another smog station will not do the trick.
Honda Civic Hybrid Drive Cycle: Using a scan tool ensure there are no hard or pending trouble codes stored in your Civic's engine control computer (ECC). Once verified, continue on to the drive cycle. Making sure your Honda Civic Hybrid has 1/4 to 3/4 tank of gas before you begin the drive cycle.
- Park your Honda Civic for overnight to allow it to sufficiently cool down.
- Start and idle the engine with the A/C off for 5 minutes.
- Stop engine for 2 minutes.
- Drive your vehicle in stop-and-go conditions, with periods of steady cruise for 10 minutes.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4.
Having followed the Honda Civic Hybrid Drive Cycle above should make ready/complete the required emission monitors. If you feel you may be unable to perform the drive cycle above safely please seek assistance from a certified smog check repair center or a Honda dealer.
