Since having smog check repairs made to your Nissan Xterra, you'll need to drive it through what is known as a drive cycle. Typically after a smog check repair station performs repairs, they clear the engine control unit (ECU) of any trouble codes, in order to turn off the check engine light. Resetting the ECU, clears trouble codes but also erases emission monitor data. Without your Nissan Xterra having all it's emission monitors set (except for the EVAP) it won't pass the CA smog check. To get the monitors to be ready for the smog inspection, you'll need to drive your Xterra through what is known as a drive cycle. We've posted the drive cycle below, should you choose to use it.
Usually driving for a few hundred miles over the course of a few days, and in both highway and city conditions, gets the emission monitors to set. The required drive cycle parameters are usually met during the course of driving 200-300 miles. Due to particular driving patterns/habits however sometimes they're not and that's when you must follow the specific drive cycle. Take extra caution while performing drive cycles on public roadways. If you think you will be unable to follow the Nissan Xterra Drive Cycle below safely, seek the assistance of a smog check repair station or Nissan dealership.
Nissan Xterra Drive Cycle for OBDII Monitors (Including EVAP)
Pre-Conditioning Requirements:
Ensure the MIL (malfunction indicator lamp) is not on.
Gas tank fuel level must be between 15% and 85% at all times.
Drive cycle must start while engine is cold. Best performed in the morning, after being parked overnight. The actual requirement is that the engine be between 68 and 86 degrees F prior to the start of the drive cycle.
Drive Trace:
A. Start your vehicle and idle engine until coolant temperature reaches 160F (until normal operating temperature is reached). Usually 20 minutes at idle will accomplish this.
B. Using a timer, idle the engine for an additional 1 1/2 minutes.
C. Begin driving. Accelerate smoothly to 56 mph with the transmission in (D) and overdrive ON, then release gas pedal and coast for 10 seconds.
D. Accelerate to 56 mph and maintain speed for at least 10 minutes. Use smooth and quick acceleration and maintain speed as constant as possible.
E. Stop and idle your Nissan Xterra for 10 seconds.
F. Accelerate to 25 mph in 10 seconds and hold gas pedal steady for 20 seconds. Use smooth and quick acceleration and maintain speed as constant as possible.
G. Repeat steps E and F eight (8) times. Decelerate (coast down) to 15 mph and then drive for 13 minutes at speeds between 15mph and 35mph.
H. Accelerate to 53-56 mph and maintain speed for at least 6 minutes. In this step it is more important to maintain accelerator pedal position than speed. Therefore you are allowed 3 mph fluctuation in speed, but must try and keep the gas pedal steady.
- End of Drive Cycle -
If all emissions systems are functioning properly, completing the drive cycle above will set the emission monitors (also known as readiness flags) required to pass the smog check. We recommend performing the drive cycle at least twice before visiting a smog check station. Explain to the smog technician that you've been attempting to complete a drive cycle prior to arriving at their shop.
