As you drive your car, its on-board computer runs a series of up to 11 tests. These tests, known as “monitors,” check your car’s various components and systems and the results determine whether or not your car’s “check engine” light is turned on.
As the monitors run, their status changes from “not ready” (or “incomplete”) to “ready” (or “complete”). All of the monitors will be set to “not ready” if your battery is disconnected or your computer is reset with a scan tool.
Part of the smog inspection includes checking the “readiness” of the monitors and if more than the allowed number are not complete, your car will not pass, and the test will show “not ready”.
Normally, driving your car for a few days will resolve the problem, but if it does not, other problems may exist that require further diagnosis from a qualified repair shop. It is also possible that your car’s monitors are inherently difficult to set. The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) has a published list of these vehicles it has identified, and we are happy to help you determine if any of them apply to your vehicle.
In some circumstances, exemptions apply to readiness requirements, and we will be happy to explain them if you have any questions regarding your vehicle.