How far do you have to travel for VAG/Fault erase to not be detected?

[budfox]

I need my car inspected and the check engine light is on. I am going to clear my fault codes. I heard you have to drive 25 miles after you clear the codes to not have the inspector know that you just cleared the codes.

What is the mileage? 25? 50?

[G Men 08]

i would just go out and drive down the highway for 30-50 miles or so.. should be ok i had to do it with my stang

[JMRQuattro]

it's more than 25 miles. And it's not a matter of mileage. It's what you do that activates functions. Here's the drive cycle:


OBD II Drive Cycle

Readiness Code Generating

General Description
Diagnostics are performed at regular intervals during normal vehicle operation. After repairing an emissions related system, a readiness code is generated by road testing the vehicle.
If a malfunction is recognized during the drive cycle, it will be stored in the DTC memory.
The OBD drive cycle operation will be monitored with a hand held diagnostic tool.
Consult the manufacturer's instruction manual for correct tool operation.
The readiness code is erased every time the DTC memory is erased or any time the battery is disconnected.
If the DTC memory has been erased or the battery is disconnected, a new readiness code must be generated.
Only erase the DTC memory if a DTC has been stored.
General Recommendations
Most monitors will complete easier and quicker using a “steady-foot� and “smooth� acceleration during the drive cycle operation, cruise, and acceleration modes.

OBD II Drive Cycle

Readiness Code Generating continued
Operating Conditions
For the EVAP monitor test, the coolant temperature and the ambient air temperature must be between 10° C and 35° C with a difference between them no greater than 4° C. The ambient air temperature must not change more than
4° C during the drive cycle procedure (e.g. when driving out of a heated workshop in the winter).
Requirements
• Erase the DTC memory.
• Coolant temperature must be between 80° C and 110° C.
• The Intake Air Temperature (IAT) must be between 10° C and 35° C.
• Battery voltage must be a minimum of 12.5 volts.
Warning:
When performing the drive cycle operation, pay strict attention to driving conditions and please observe and obey all posted speed limits. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury or possible death.

Drive Cycle Procedure
1. Connect the diagnostic tester.
2. Switch the ignition on and start the vehicle.
3. Idle the vehicle for 2-3 minutes. This executes the O2S Heater, Misfire, Secondary AIR, Fuel Trim, and Purge system monitors.
4. Drive the vehicle at 45-55 mph for a continuous 7-minute period, avoid stopping. This executes the EVAP, O2S, Fuel Trim, and Misfire monitors.
5. Accelerate the vehicle to an engine speed of 5000 RPM (with automatic transmission use the tip-tronic mode); lift off from the throttle until the engine speed is at around 1200 rpm. This executes the fuel cut off monitor. Perform this step twice to execute the O2S rear monitor.
6. Accelerate the vehicle smoothly to 60-65 mph, cruise constantly for 5 min, this executes the Catalyst; O2S, Misfire, Fuel Trim, and Purge System monitors.
7. Decelerate and idle the vehicle again for 3 minutes. This executes the Misfire, Secondary AIR, Fuel Trim, and Purge system monitors.

OBD II Drive Cycle procedure: continued
Readiness Code Generating continued
8. Check the status of the readiness code.
Note:Depending on the diagnostic tester used. The readiness code status may be displayed as complete, passed or OK.
9. If any engine monitor fails the drive cycle test. Repeat the drive cycle test until all engine monitors have successfully run through and passed.
Note: When repeating the drive cycle operation for a failed EVAP monitor or thermostat-monitor, allow the engine to cool until the coolant temperature and the ambient air temperature are be between 10° C and 35° C with a difference between them no greater than 4° C is observed and repeat the drive cycle operation.

[aaaudiprotein]

So if my car is running lean with a solid CEL. If i erase it right before the station, would i pass it?

[MikTip]

So if my car is running lean with a solid CEL. If i erase it right before the station, would i pass it?

Certain OBD scanners/readers/tools erase/reset the readiness data....

If the problem still exists, it will reappear.

[aaaudiprotein]

^^^ That sucks

[JMRQuattro]

if you erase it right before the test, the scanner at the test center will abort unless you have generated readiness. And unless you fixed the problem, the code will come back once you have generated readiness.

I just went through this when i had to license my car because i have a test pipe. I cleared the code the day of, went to test it and the process would start and it would abort half way through.

[MikTip]

This is why I have one of these-



Flows like a test-pipe, but pass's emissions!

I got tired of R&R'n my cat every year...

[budfox]

I have heard of ppl who erased their codes drove it for around 50, the check engine light was still off, and took it in for inspection. If that doesn't work, I'm going to have to figure out how to pass inspection because im not fixing the air pump right now.

[cyclo]

cant you just take it to a shop where they "inspect" it (without hooking it up to the machine?)
-I got a cel on my way down south recently, it was a lean code. Once I knew what it was (probably an o2 sensor not acting right), I kept driving but in a non agressive fashion. After a day of arriving in GA, it went away and never came back.
Are you chipped? I started getting the lean codes after I went stg 1 and then again at 1+.

[FourRingsB6]

Seatown B6 is absolutely right. You can't just clear it and get it inspected. That being said, i've had this problem in every vw or audi i've owned. Clear it the day before you inspect it and drive it around doing all types of driving. Highway and back road/city. Make sure you go up to 60mph and back down. We did this in my girlfriends jetta and inspected it with no problems. Also, do you know what code it is throwing. If it is "useless code" you can actually delete the function from the system with a vag-com. Did this in my jetta with my secondary air injection. As far as the inspection station knew my car never had it.

[nihil]

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