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Forum > Failed Smog Test > Question

Mazda MPV Catalyst Monitor Not Ready For Inspection

Hi I have 2003 Mazda MPV. I'm having a hard time passing the smog test because the catalyst monitor is not ready. Is there any service assistance that can help me make it ready for the smog check. I already went to the mechanic shop. They fixed the gas tank which needed repairs and they reset the computer. Now it's ready for the smog test but the monitor is not complete. That was 3 months ago. I was annoyed because of waiting for nothing and I spend a lot of money to get the smog certification and one more thing, I can't transfer the car to my name because I don't have proof of certification for smog check. The smog mechanic told me to drive one thousand miles and yes I made it, and still wasn't be able to get ready for smog and I already drove more than two thousands miles already. Any body can help me please?
Answer:

We've looked up our sources and have not found any information indicating OBD II monitor readiness problems with the Mazda MPV. With that said, we'd like to mention it's usually not a matter of how many miles you drive your vehicle in order to get any particular monitor ready or complete, but rather, whether the required parameters to trigger the drive cycle are met during the driving period. We recommend driving a few hundred miles over the course of a week, in both highway and city conditions. Usually all required drive cycle parameters are met over the course of 200-300 miles of driving. Due to different driving patterns/habits however, sometimes this does not happen and following the Mazda MPV Drive Cycle below is required.

Take extra caution while performing drive cycles on public roadways. If you think you will be unable to follow the Mazda MPV Drive Cycle below safely, seek the assistance of a smog check repair station or Mazda dealership.

How to Complete Mazda MPV Drive Cycle for OBDII Monitors

Pre-Conditioning Requirements:

Ensure the MIL (malfunction indicator lamp) is not on.

Gas tank fuel level must be between 15% and 85% at all times.

Drive cycle must start while engine is cold. Best performed in the morning, after being parked overnight. The actual requirement is that the engine be between 68 and 86 degrees F prior to the start of the drive cycle.

Drive Trace:

A. Start your vehicle and idle for 5 minutes.

B. Rev the engine in neutral or park at 2,300 to 2,700 RPM for 15 seconds.

C. Rev the engine in neutral or park at 3,800 to 4,200 RPM for 15 seconds.

D. Idle the engine for 20 seconds, in park or neutral. Ensure the Cooling Fans are not on. If cooling fans are running you must wait until they stop and then idle for 20 seconds.

E. Begin driving. Accelerate to 52-55 mph and maintain speed for 1 1/2 minutes. Use smooth acceleration and maintain speed as constant as possible.

F. Decelerate (coast down) to 15 mph and then drive for 13 minutes at speeds between 15mph and 35mph.

G. Maintain 25mph for 50 seconds.

- End of Drive Cycle -

If all emissions systems are functioning properly, completing the drive cycle above will set the emission monitors (also known as readiness flags) required to pass the smog check. We recommend performing the drive cycle at least twice before visiting a smog check station. If you have or can purchase an OBD II Scan Tool (with Readiness Flag/Monitor Data) you may check which monitors have passed and are ready for the smog test, and which monitors are still incomplete. Simple connected the scan tool to your vehicle's OBD II Data Link Connector and follow the command prompt on the scan tool.


posted by SmogTips Support

 

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