Chrysler OBD2 Drive Cycle: Your Guide to Readiness for Emissions Testing

Ensuring your Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep vehicle is ready for an emissions test often requires completing an OBD2 drive cycle. This process allows your vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system to run self-tests, confirming that all emission control systems are functioning correctly. If your “check engine light” (MIL) has been on and recently cleared, or if you’ve had battery work done, performing a Chrysler Obd2 Drive Cycle is crucial to get your car ready for a smog check. This guide provides detailed drive cycle procedures for Chrysler vehicles, ensuring your car meets emission standards.

Understanding OBD2 Monitors and Drive Cycles

Modern vehicles are equipped with sophisticated On-Board Diagnostic (OBD2) systems that continuously monitor the performance of the engine and emission control systems. These systems utilize “monitors” to test various components like the catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, evaporative system, and EGR system. When a fault is detected, the system illuminates the check engine light and stores diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).

A “drive cycle” is a specific series of driving conditions designed to allow these OBD2 monitors to run and complete their self-tests. Completing a drive cycle is necessary after:

• Clearing Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): Erasing DTCs with a scan tool resets the monitors to a “not ready” status.
• Battery Disconnection or Replacement: Similar to clearing codes, disconnecting the battery can reset monitor status.
• Certain Repairs: Some repairs may require a drive cycle to verify the fix and reset monitors.

Until these monitors are in a “ready” or “complete” state, your vehicle may fail an emissions test. Performing the correct Chrysler OBD2 drive cycle ensures these monitors are set, allowing you to pass your smog check.

Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep Drive Cycle Procedures

Before starting any drive cycle, ensure the following:

• Check Engine Light (MIL): The MIL must be off. If it’s on, address any underlying issues and clear the codes before proceeding.
• No Active DTCs: Verify there are no current diagnostic trouble codes using an OBD2 scanner.

Here are the specific drive cycle procedures for various monitors on Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles.

All Monitor Drive Cycle

This general drive cycle aims to activate most OBD2 monitors. However, Chrysler recommends using monitor-specific drive cycles for more reliable results.

Pre-Conditioning Requirements:

• MIL must be off.
• Cold start (engine temperature should be similar to ambient temperature – exact cold start temperature is not explicitly defined but ensure the engine is cool).

Driving Procedure:

1. Warm-up: Start the engine and let it idle for five minutes. This allows the engine to reach closed-loop operation, where the engine control unit (ECU) uses sensor feedback for optimal fuel and emissions control.
2. Highway Cruise: Drive at a steady speed between 40 and 60 mph for 8 minutes. Maintain a constant throttle position to ensure stable operating conditions.
3. Idle: Stop the vehicle and let it idle for 3 minutes.
4. Moderate Speed Drive: Drive at a steady speed above 20 mph for 2 minutes.
5. Cool Down and O2 Sensor Heater Test: Turn the ignition key off and leave it off for ten minutes. This allows the O2 sensor heater monitor to run.

Catalyst Monitor Drive Cycle

This drive cycle focuses specifically on testing the efficiency of the catalytic converter.

Pre-Conditioning Requirements:

• MIL must be off.
• No DTCs present.
• Fuel level between 15% and 85% full.
• Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) above 70ºF.
• Engine must have run for at least 90 seconds prior to starting the drive cycle.
• Engine speed between 1,350 and 1,900 rpm before starting.

Driving Procedure:

1. Idle: Idle the vehicle for five minutes to ensure closed-loop operation and proper engine temperature.
2. Steady Speed Cruise: Drive at a steady speed between 30 and 45 mph for 2 minutes.

EGR System Monitor Drive Cycle – Vacuum Controlled

This procedure is for vehicles with vacuum-controlled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems.

Pre-Conditioning Requirements:

• MIL must be off.

Driving Procedure:

1. Idle: Idle the vehicle for five minutes to reach closed-loop operation.
2. Highway Cruise: Drive at a steady speed between 40 and 60 mph for 8 minutes.

EGR System Monitor Drive Cycle – Electronic

This drive cycle applies to vehicles with electronically controlled EGR systems, which are more common in newer models.

Pre-Conditioning Requirements:

• MIL must be off.
• Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) between 0-60 KPa.
• Engine speed between 500-850 rpm at idle.
• Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) above 180ºF (90ºC).
• No misfire faults (temporary or matured).
• A/C clutch, power steering (PS) switch, and cooling fans must not change state (remain off) during the pre-conditioning and drive cycle.

Driving Procedure:

1. Idle: Idle the vehicle for five minutes to reach closed-loop operation.
2. Highway Cruise: Drive at a steady speed between 40 and 60 mph for 2 minutes.
3. Idle: Idle the vehicle again for three minutes.

Note: This monitor assesses EGR flow by detecting changes in engine roughness and idle stability. Unstable idle conditions can prevent this monitor from running.

Evaporative System Monitor Drive Cycle

There are two drive cycle traces for the evaporative system monitor:

Trace 1: Standard Type

Pre-Conditioning Requirements:

• Fuel level between 50% and 85% full.

Driving Procedure:

1. Idle: Idle for 5 minutes.
2. Moderate Speed Cruise: Smoothly accelerate and maintain a speed between 30 to 45 mph for 2 minutes.

Trace 2: Leak Detection Pump Type

Pre-Conditioning Requirements:

• Vehicle must be off for 6-8 hours (cold soak period).

Driving Procedure:

1. Idle: Idle for 5 minutes.
2. City Driving: Drive in city traffic with natural stops and accelerations for 5 minutes.
3. Idle: Stop and idle the vehicle for 4 minutes.

O2 Sensor Monitor Drive Cycle

This drive cycle is designed to test the functionality of the oxygen sensors.

Driving Procedure:

1. Idle: Idle for 5 minutes.
2. Moderate Speed Cruise: Smoothly accelerate and maintain a speed above 25 mph for 2 minutes.
3. Idle: Stop and idle for 30 seconds.
4. Repeat Acceleration and Cruise: Smoothly accelerate and maintain a speed between 30 to 40 mph. Repeat the idle (step 3) and acceleration to 30-40 mph (step 4) five times.

O2 Sensor Heater Monitor Drive Cycle

This test specifically checks the functionality of the oxygen sensor heaters, which are crucial for sensor efficiency, especially during cold starts.

Driving Procedure:

1. Idle: Idle for 5 minutes.
2. Cool Down: Shut off the engine and leave the vehicle off for 10 minutes.

Tips for a Successful Chrysler Drive Cycle

• Follow Pre-Conditions Carefully: Pay close attention to the pre-conditioning requirements for each drive cycle. Factors like fuel level, engine temperature, and ambient conditions can affect the test.
• Maintain Steady Speeds: Use cruise control where possible to maintain consistent speeds during the driving portions of the cycle.
• Avoid Aggressive Driving: Smooth acceleration and deceleration are preferred over hard braking and rapid acceleration.
• Be Patient: Drive cycles can sometimes take multiple attempts to complete. If a monitor doesn’t set on the first try, review the procedure and try again.
• Use an OBD2 Scanner: A scan tool can help monitor the status of your OBD2 monitors in real-time, showing you when each monitor becomes ready. This can save time and guesswork.

Once all relevant monitors are completed and show a “ready” status, your Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep vehicle should be ready for an emissions or smog test. If you continue to experience issues or the monitors are not setting, it is recommended to consult a qualified automotive technician.

Source: https://img.neons.org/AGN/chrysler_drive_cycle.pdf