Q&A

 Master

To pass the CA State Smog test vehicles have to have all the systems that the computer monitors to have run there functionality tests. Some of these tests take more than one "drive cycle" to complete.The idea being is that you can't cheat by having a car due for a smog test that has a Check Engine light on pass by just erasing the code and driving straight to the smog station without fixing the underlying problem. The systems the computers monitor are the evaporative emission system, EGR system, the cat converter efficiency, O2 sensor system, ect.... Ask who ever tests your car or scans it for codes "which monitors have not been passed".

 Journeyman

I have experienced in the past Civics of this generation taking up to 3 weeks to run it's monitors. My best advise is to drive the vehicle as much as possible under varying conditions to try to get the monitors to set. Once that happens if there are no MIL (malfunction indicator lamp) issues the car will be able to be smogged.

 Rookie

I had a 1996 Honda Civic EX and I had received a letter from Honda that said if my car failed smog that they would pay for all the repairs because of something with the emissions system didn't meet California requirements. So maybe you should contact Honda to see if you qualify. Get what you can!! :) Hope that helps!!

 Rookie

you need to drive and drive highway driving-local driving stop and go traffic ect put the miles on it takes time for all of the sensors to re-set that is it in the nut shell