2008 Fit. My battery died months ago. Had my car jumped and having gone through this once before with a dead battery, I knew I had to drive for a while to reset the computers. Last time, I had someone drive it for me because I can't see well so I can't drive on highway. Due to illness, I only drive to doctor appointments once a month on local streets.

Yesterday, I had a friend come here and we drove about 80 miles going from various speeds 35-65 on highway, drove in streets, stop/starts for over 2 hours to reset it but today it won't pass inspection. The sticker expired on 11/30.

They gave me a paper that says:
Monitor Catalyst Not Ready
Monitor EVAP Not Ready
Monitor O2 Not ready

I have 10 days to fix this but my friend can't come back and drive for me until about a week from now and some web sites say that I need to drive for weeks or many cycles of 100+ miles to get these things to be ready but I can't do that. The papers say I won't get another extension so if I can't have this fixed in 10 days, what happens to my car?

Does anyone know what exactly I can do go get these ready? Various web sites say different things and I'm in a bit of a panic about what I'm going to do. Thanks for any advice.

 

I found the information below online. I've never experienced this issue so can't vouch for the solution, but it's worth a try.

One other small item to confirm is that your gas cap is tight (multiple clicks). Loose gas caps cause a lot of (false) emission issues and check engine lights.

Before getting to the reset procedure I have to ask if it's safe for you to be driving at all. If a friend or family member told me that they can't see well enough to drive on the highway but still drive on local streets I would be seriously concerned. If you only need to drive once per month you have to be approaching the point where getting a ride from a friend/family member, using public transportation, or paying for a taxi/Uber would cost less than paying insurance and upkeep on a car. More importantly, if you have vision issues getting a ride to the doctor would be far safer than driving, both for you and for everyone else.

================================================== ================

How Do I Drive a Honda Fit to Set the Emissions Computer?

I don't know what it is called but the test item on the smog check for my Honda Fit 2010 needs to be set by driving a certain way. Certain speeds at certain times. I think the smog tech mentioned a Drive Cycle? What do I do?


Answer:It appears your Honda Fit failed the smog inspection because its emission monitors were not ready. Monitors are internal self tests which the engine computer performs to ensure all emission systems are functioning properly. Typically driving for a few hundred miles over the course of a week, in both highway and city conditions, is enough to set the emission monitors. Usually the required drive cycle parameters are met over the course of 200-300 miles. However, due to different driving habits, the criteria required to run a monitor may not always be met; and a Honda Fit drive cycle must be performed. By following the Honda Fit drive cycle below all emission monitors will run. The Honda Fit drive cycle must be followed accurately. Take extra caution when performing the drive cycle on public roadways. Perform the drive cycle at your own risk. If you feel you might not be able to perform the drive cycle safely, or obey all traffic laws, seek the assistance of a smog check repair station or Honda Service Center.

How to Complete Honda Fit Drive Cycle

A. COLD START: Begin from Cold Start, and ignition in OFF position for at least 1 hour. Ensure your Honda Fit's fuel tank is between 1/4 and 3/4 full and engine coolant temperature is below 122°F and within 11°F of the ambient air temperature. Do not leave the key on prior to the cold start.

B. IDLE TIME: Start the engine (do not drive) and allow to idle for 2 1/2 minutes with the air conditioner on and rear defroster on. During this period the ECU will be running the Oxygen Sensor Heater self-test, Air Injection System Passive Air test, EVAP Purge "No Flow" test, Misfire Detection.

C. DRIVE: Turn off the air conditioner and rear defroster and begin driving. When possible, speed up to 55 mph. The ECU will now run self-tests on the Misfire Detection, Fuel Trim, and EVAP Purge Flow.

D. HOLD STEADY: Keep vehicle speed steady at 55 mph for three (3) minutes. During this time the Oxygen Sensor O2 response, Air Intrusive (AIS System), EGR Flow, Purge Valve, Misfire Detection, and Fuel Trim diagnostics will be performed.

E. DECELERATE: Slowly let off the accelerator pedal. Do not brake or shift in order to slow down. It is important to let your Fit coast gradually, slowing down to 20 mph. The ECU will once again self-test the EGR System, EVAP Purge System and Long Term Fuel Trims.

F. ACCELERATE: Accelerate, using 3/4 throttle, until 55-60 mph is reached. This will perform the same self tests as during the first acceleration step C.

G. HOLD STEADY: Hold steady speed once again. This time at 55mph for five minutes. During this time, in addition to running the self-tests as during the first HOLD STEADY step, the ECU will perform the catalyst monitor diagnostics. If the catalyst (Catalytic Converter) is marginal or the battery has been disconnected, it may take 5 complete driving cycles to determine the state of the catalyst,or in order to Complete the CAT Monitor.

H. DECELERATE: This will perform the same diagnostics as in Step E. Remember not to depress the brakes or shift gears during deceleration.

This should complete the drive cycle on your Honda Fit. To ensure all monitors are complete use a scan tool. We recommend completing this drive cycle twice in case in any step timing or speed was not achieved.

 

Thanks for the reply. My eyes are fine on the street. It's more a reaction to wide open space coupled with a fear of highway driving due to a near miss some years ago. I would not drive if I thought I was not able to.

I followed every single thing in the above post to the letter. I have driven with a friend over 200 miles in the past week follow that and another Honda Fit set of directions and when I turn my car on accessories, the maintenance light will be solid for 10 seconds and then blink 5 times which means the car is not ready. I just have no idea what to do anymore.

 

I'm a bit confused by your issues. I have a 2010 Fit but I don't think the warning lights would be that different from a 2008. I have unhooked and/or removed my battery many times without issue aside from having to re-enter the radio code. No warning lights appeared and the car ran the same before and after removing/reinstalling the battery.

Can you confirm which light you're talking about: the one that looks like a wrench or the one that looks like an engine?

The "wrench" light is the Maintenance Minder and appears to tell you that maintenance (e.g., an oil change) is due. What is your oil life percentage? The Maintenance Minder can be easily reset following the procedure you can find on Youtube.

The "check engine" light indicates a problem with the engine. A solid check engine light often indicates an emissions problem. A flashing check engine light often indicates an engine misfire, which could be caused by one or more bad spark plugs or coils or a loose spark plug.

Is the car running okay? It's usually pretty obvious that you have a misfire.

If you have followed the Honda-specified procedures for fixing the faults that caused your car to fail inspection, and if you have a rapidly approaching deadline for getting it reinspected, I think that's what you'll have to do. It will either pass or it won't. If it doesn't pass, I can't imagine that a mechanic would refuse to help you get it fixed, right?

 

There is a product called "always-pass" that causes the cats to heat up faster and helps clean out cruft especially if you don't drive the car often and heat it all the way up for at least 20 minutes.
Cars dont like sitting.. It also helps if you can find a station with E free fuel, Farm stores often have it in 87 and 93 octane for farm use only... Tell them its for your Honda tractor.

I've gotten a couple fairly jenky cars to pass with it.