Your Toyota Sequoia needs to have its emission monitors ready in order to pass a smog check.
More than likely your Toyota Sequoia has an incomplete emissions monitor. The smog technician was probably referring to the EVAP monitor specifically, though it's possible other monitors may be incomplete as well. Emission monitors are internal self-tests which the engine control computer (ECU) performs in order to verify specific emissions systems, such as the EGR system, EVAP system, oxygen sensors and Catalyst, are functioning properly. If any one monitor is incomplete (except for the EVAP) your Sequoia can not pass the smog test. In order to make the monitors ready for the smog check you'll need to drive your Sequoia through what is known as a Drive Cycle. As mentioned, the one monitor (as of the date of this post) which is still allowed to remain incomplete and not cause a smog check failure is the EVAP monitor; though the State of California does intend to remove this exemption in the near future.
Usually driving 200-300 miles over the course of a few days and in both city and highway traffic conditions is enough to get the drive cycle complete. Due to individual vehicle owner driving patterns however, sometimes the criteria required to get a particular monitor to initiate and/or become ready is not met. In such instances, it is required that a specific drive cycle pattern which is designed for the Toyota Sequoia, be followed.
How do I drive my Toyota Sequoia to make the OBD-II monitors ready?
Notice: Take extra caution when performing the drive cycle on public roadways. Perform the drive cycle at your own risk. If you feel you may be unable to perform the drive cycle below safely, please seek assistance from a reputable smog check repair station or Toyota dealership. A smog repair certified center will be able to perform the drive cycle on a dynamometer, eliminating the need to drive your SUV on streets and freeways.
Preconditions: (Make sure you have between 1/4 and 3/4 fuel in the gas tank. The EVAP test will not run while your Toyota Sequoia has a full tank of gas or the gas tank is near empty). Ensure there are no pending or active trouble codes and that the check engine light is not on. Begin the drive cycle from a cold-start; having allowed your vehicle to sit overnight. Note, the secondary air injection monitor will require a cold-start in order to initiate.
A. Start the engine. Idle the engine in drive for two and a half minutes with the A/C and rear defroster on.
B. Turn the A/C and rear defroster off, and accelerate to 55 mph at half throttle.
C. Hold steady speed of 55 mph for three minutes.
D. Decelerate (coast down) to 20 mph without braking.
E. Accelerate back to 55 to 60 mph at ¾ throttle.
F. Hold steady speed of 55 to 60 mph for five minutes.
G. Decelerate (coast down) to a stop without braking.
If readiness status of all monitors do not switch to "complete" ensure preconditions are met, turn the ignition switch OFF, then repeat steps "A" through "G". Completing the drive cycle above should set the emission monitors required to pass the smog test. We recommend performing the drive cycle 2 or 3 times before the smog inspection. You may use a scan tool to check which monitors have become ready after each drive cycle.
