Post date: Feb 09, 2017 2:41:53 PM
If you live in a county that requires emissions inspection you may run into this situation. PA law requires that a vehicle pass emissions inspection before it can receive a safety inspection sticker. In most emissions counties, a 1996 and newer vehicle must complete a “drive cycle” to allow the car to perform a "self-test" before it will pass the emissions inspection. If a vehicle has had an emissions related repair performed or the monitors reset it will also clear any drive cycle information and a new drive cycle must be performed. A drive cycle however is not a specific amount of miles but a specific set of driving conditions. Most technicians will tell the customers that they should drive the vehicle for a good while (maybe 100 to 150 miles) to ensure the vehicle has had time to complete a drive cycle but please understand that it is not mileage based.
NOTE: Drive cycles are specific operating instructions and vary for every make and model. You must reference the service manual for the specific drive cycle for your vehicle.
If you encounter this situation, please understand that this does not permit you to drive the vehicle if the inspection has already expired. If the inspection has expired, the only legal way to have the drive cycle completed is to have an inspection mechanic drive the vehicle and complete the needed driving conditions. This is not the method most frequently pursued as most customers do not want to pay a technician to drive around in the vehicle nor do technicians always have the time to go on the lengthy drive needed to satisfy all the conditions for a drive cycle. It is best to get your vehicle inspected early (in the three month window) so that if a drive cycle is needed you still have time to complete this before the inspection expires.