Usually driving 200-300 miles over the course of a few days and in both city and highway traffic conditions is enough to get your Dodge Charger's drive cycle completed. 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 Dodge Charger be followed.
Emission monitors are programmed to run while your Charger is being normally operated (driven). However, due to different driving habits, the criteria required to run a monitor may not always be met. Following the Dodge Charger drive cycle below should allow all emission monitors to complete. The drive cycle must be followed accurately. Take extra caution when performing the drive cycle on public roadways. Perform the drive cycle at your own risk, and perform the drive cycle safely and obey all traffic laws.
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 Dodge Charger will be unable to pass the smog test. In order to make the monitors ready for the smog check you'll need to drive your Charger through what is referred to as a Drive Cycle.
The drive cycle is a bit complex. Please perform is 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 Dodge dealership.
How To Perform Dodge Charger Drive Cycle
A. All Monitor Drive Trace - This will complete all emission monitors without having to perform specific monitor driving patterns.
Pre-Conditioning Requirements:
MIL must be off - Cold start (Cold soak required; vehicle must be sitting overnight, at least 8 hours). Fuel level is between 15% and 85%. Make sure your gas tank never has a full tank nor less than 1/4 of fuel during the drive cycle.
Driving Procedure:
1) Warm engine up for five minutes (must reach closed loop)
2) Drive (with steady throttle) at a speed between 40 and 60 mph for 8 minutes.
3) Stop and idle for 3 minutes.
4) Drive (with steady throttle) at a speed above 20 mph for 2 minutes.
5) Turn key off, leave off for ten minutes (to run O2 sensor heater monitor).
B. Catalyst Monitor Drive Trace
Pre-Conditioning Requirements:
- MIL must be off.
- No DTCs present.
- Fuel level is between 15% and 85% full.
- ECT above 70º F.
- Engine must have run at least 90 seconds
- Engine between 1,350 & 1,900 rpm.
Driving Procedure:
1) Idle vehicle for five minutes (to reach closed loop operation).
2) Drive with a steady vehicle speed between 30 and 45 mph for 2 minutes.
C. EGR System Monitor Drive Trace - Vacuum controlled
Pre-Conditioning Requirements:
- MIL must be off.
Driving Procedure:
1) Idle vehicle for five minutes (to reach closed loop operation).
2) Drive with a steady vehicle speed between 40 & 60 mph for 8 minutes.
D. EGR System Monitor Drive Trace - Electronic
Pre-Conditioning Requirements:
- MIL must be off.
- MAP must be between 0-60 KPa.
- Engine speed between 500-850 rpm.
- ECT is above 180º F (90º C).
- No misfire temporary (pending) or matured fault present.
- A/C clutch, PS Switch and Cooling fans do not change state (turn off).
Driving Procedure:
1) Idle vehicle for five (5) minutes (to reach closed loop operation).
2) Drive with a steady vehicle speed between 40 & 60 mph for 2 minutes.
3) Idle vehicle for three (3) minutes.
E. Evaporative System Monitor Drive Trace
Trace 1: Standard Type
Pre-Conditioning Requirements:
- MIL must be off.
- No Evaporative DTCs present.
- Fuel level is between ½ and full.
(Note: monitor may still run with tank fill between 15% and 85%).
Driving Procedure:
1) Idle vehicle for five minutes (to reach closed loop operation).
2) Drive with a steady vehicle speed between 30 and 45 mph for 2 minutes.
Trace 2: Leak Detection Pump
Pre-Conditioning Requirements:
- MIL must be off.
- No Evaporative DTCs present.
- Fuel level is between 30 & 85 % full.
Driving Procedure:
1) Cold soak vehicle, start and idle vehicle for 4 minutes.
2) Drive in-town (stop and go) for 5 minutes, using smooth accelerations and decelerations.
3) Stop and idle vehicle for 4 minutes.
F. O2 Sensor Monitor Drive Trace
Pre-Conditioning Requirements:
- MIL must be off.
Driving Procedure:
1) Idle vehicle for five minutes (to reach closed loop operation).
2) Drive with a steady vehicle speed above 25 mph for 2 minutes.
3) Stop and idle for 30 seconds.
4) Smoothly accelerate to a speed between 30 and 40 mph.
5) Repeat steps 3 & 4 five (5) times.
G. O2 Sensor Heater Monitor Drive Trace
Pre-Conditioning Requirements:
- MIL must be off.
Driving Procedure:
1) Idle vehicle for five minutes (to reach closed loop operation).
2) Shut engine off and leave vehicle off for ten minutes.
If readiness status of all monitors do not switch to “complete,” ensure preconditions are met, turn the ignition switch OFF, then repeat the drive cycle. Completing the Dodge Charger drive cycle above should set the emission monitors required to pass the smog check.
