Setting the emission monitors by driving your Kia Sorento through a drive cycle might be a bit of a challenge. We highly recommend a smog check repair station or Kia dealership perform the drive cycle on a dynamometer. Kia has designed their drive cycle a bit too complex for the average vehicle owner to perform. Normally over the course of a week or two and after having driven a few hundred miles, the monitors should complete automatically. Due to individual driving habits however often performing the drive cycle designed specifically for the Kia Sorento is needed.
We must note, the Kia Sorento Drive Cycle is unsafe to perform on public roadways. It requires many starts and stops, and at best, difficult to complete even for an experienced auto repair technician. Often completing the drive cycle several times is required before all the monitors are set; so it's best that the drive cycle be completed on a dynamometer and not on the road. If you choose to perform the drive cycle, do so at your own risk. Take extra caution when performing the drive cycle on public roadways. We must mention again, the drive cycle requires many starts and stops and will be difficult and unsafe to perform on public roadways.
Step-by-Step Instructions on How To Perform the Kia Sorento Drive Cycle
Please read these instructions carefully. Have a driving plan in mind and know the procedure almost verbatim. If you have to look at this guide while you driving, you will miss a step and have to restart; and at best, cause unsafe driving conditions.
Ensure to begin the drive cycle only when engine coolant temperature is between 0F and 104F. The temperature gauge should be below normal operating temperature. Also make sure the fuel tank is only between 1/4 to 3/4 full. All acceleration and deceleration must be made within 15 seconds, and throttle (gas pedal) application should be smooth at all times.
A. Start engine and allow to idle for 5 minutes, in park or neutral.
B. Accelerate to 50 mph within 15 seconds and hold that speed for 8 minutes.
C. Decelerate to a complete stop within 15 seconds and allow to idle for 15 minutes, in park or neutral.
D. Accelerate to 55 mph within 15 seconds and hold that speed for 1 minute, then decelerate back to a stop and allow engine to idle, while in Drive, for 1 minute. Repeat step D two (2) times.
E. After completing step D twice, and while engine is at idle and transmission in Drive, accelerate to 40 mph and hold that speed for 1 minute, then accelerate to 50 mph and hold that speed for 5 seconds. You must conduct this pattern of driving (1 minute at 40 mph, then accelerate to and 50 mph and hold for 5 seconds, 6 times). Upon the sixth acceleration to 50 mph, and holding for 5 seconds, you will decelerate to 0 mph and keep the vehicle in Drive and idle for one minute.
F. Drive Cycle Complete.
Perform steps A through E as many times as needed in order to make READY all required emission monitors. You may use an OBD II scan tool which can be purchased at most local automotive parts stores to check the progress of the emission monitors. Ultimately you'll need all the emission monitors ready or complete, with the exception of the EVAP monitor before your vehicle can pass the smog test.
