Understanding your 2017 Honda Ridgeline’s OBD2 system is crucial for maintaining its health and ensuring it passes emission tests. When your vehicle fails a smog test due to “readiness monitors not ready,” it indicates that the OBD2 system hasn’t completed its self-diagnostic checks. This article provides a detailed drive cycle procedure to help set these monitors and get your Ridgeline ready for its next smog inspection.
The OBD-II drive cycle is a specific sequence of driving conditions designed to allow your 2017 Ridgeline’s onboard diagnostic system to run all of its readiness tests. These tests cover various emission-related systems, ensuring they are functioning correctly. Initiating this drive cycle correctly starts with a cold start – meaning the engine coolant temperature is below 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) and the air and coolant temperature sensors are within 11 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius) of each other.
Important Cold Start Note: Ensure the ignition key is not turned to the ‘on’ position before the cold start. Doing so might prevent the heated oxygen sensor diagnostic from running correctly.
Here’s the step-by-step OBD-II drive cycle for your 2017 Honda Ridgeline to address those “2017 Ridgeline Obd2 Readings” and readiness monitor issues:
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Initial Idle: Start the engine and let it idle in drive for two and a half minutes. Make sure to turn on the air conditioning (A/C) and the rear defroster during this phase. This step allows the OBD-II system to check the oxygen sensor heater circuits, air pump, and EVAP purge system.
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Moderate Acceleration and Steady Speed: Turn off the A/C and rear defroster. Accelerate smoothly to 55 mph (88 km/h) using about half throttle. Maintain a steady speed of 55 mph for three minutes. During this phase, the OBD-II system checks for ignition misfires, fuel trim, and canister purge, while also monitoring the EGR, air pump, O2 sensors, and canister purge again.
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Deceleration: Without braking or depressing the clutch, let the vehicle coast down to 20 mph (32 km/h). This deceleration phase allows the OBD-II system to check the EGR and purge functions.
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Re-acceleration and Steady Speed: Accelerate again to 55 to 60 mph (88-96 km/h) using half throttle.
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Extended Steady Speed: Hold a steady speed between 55 to 60 mph for five minutes. In this extended steady speed phase, the OBD-II system monitors catalytic converter efficiency, misfires, EGR, fuel trim, oxygen sensors, and purge functions.
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Final Deceleration and Stop: Finally, coast down to a complete stop without using the brakes. This last deceleration allows the OBD-II to perform a final check of the EGR and canister purge systems.
By completing this OBD-II drive cycle, you are giving your 2017 Ridgeline the opportunity to run all necessary diagnostic checks and set the readiness monitors. After performing this cycle, you can use an OBD2 scanner to check your “2017 ridgeline obd2 readings” and confirm if the readiness monitors are set. If they are, your vehicle should now be ready for a smog test. If issues persist, further diagnosis by a qualified mechanic might be necessary to address any underlying problems indicated by your 2017 Ridgeline OBD2 readings.
