Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Readiness Monitor Drive Pattern
PURPOSE OF READINESS TESTS
- The On-Board Diagnostic (OBD II) system is designed to monitor the performance of emission related components, and indicate any detected abnormalities with DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes). Since various components need to be monitored during different driving conditions, the OBD II system is designed to run separate monitoring programs called Readiness Monitors.
- The intelligent tester's software must be version 9.0 or newer to view the Readiness Monitor Status. To view the status, select the following menu items: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / MONITOR INFO / MONITOR STATUS.
- When the Readiness Monitor Status reads COMPL (complete), the necessary conditions have been met for running the performance tests for that Readiness Monitor.
- A generic OBD II scan tool can also be used to view the Readiness Monitor Status.
HINT:
Many state Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) programs require a vehicle's Readiness Monitor Status to show COMPL before beginning emission tests.
The Readiness Monitor will be reset to INCMPL (incomplete) if:
- The ECM has lost battery power or blown a fuse.
- DTCs have been cleared.
- The conditions for running the Readiness Monitor have not been met.
If the Readiness Monitor Status shows INCMPL, follow the appropriate Readiness Monitor Drive Pattern to change the status to COMPL.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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