Can you pass emissions with a bad battery?
When a car’s battery dies or is disconnected, the computer resets, erasing the internal emission monitors required to pass a smog test. You’ll be good to go once you drive 100 to 200 miles with the new battery.
Can I drive my car if the emissions light is on?
It is safe to drive with an amber check engine light glowing on your dashboard, especially if you cannot detect any problems with the smooth operation of the car. If the CEL glows up in red, that is greater cause for concern and you should pull over where appropriate and arrange for immediate inspection.
What happens if your car does not pass the emissions test?
If they have not, your car will be given a “not ready” test result, rather than passing or failing. You can check whether the monitors have run using a scan tool or code reader, if you have one. Otherwise, you’ll want to drive the vehicle at various speeds (both on city streets and the highway) for an extended period of time.
What happens to my computer during an emissions test?
During an emissions test, a smog technician will check that all (or nearly all, depending on local requirements) of these monitors have “run” successfully. The monitors are reset whenever the battery is disconnected. Clearing diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) from the computer’s memory also resets the monitors.
What should I do before my emissions test?
Before getting your car tested, drive for at least 20 minutes to warm it up. You should also schedule an appointment with the testing center so that you can be accommodated while your engine is still warm. Doing so will help ensure both the engine and catalytic converter are at the optimum temperature for testing.
How does the I / M240 emissions test work?
For the I/M240 test, vehicles are operated on a dynamometer to simulate on-road driving, and the vehicle’s exhaust emissions are captured and analyzed afterward. As far as the gas cap test is concerned, its simple goal is to determine whether there is a proper gas cap on a vehicle and that it does not leak.