If you are having trouble getting your 850 through state emissions test and the source of your frustration is ‚”readiness‚” codes that aren’t set, the following procedure from Volvo will help set the readiness codes.
Start with the vehicle cool, below 122 degrees F.
Turn off the air conditioning.
Select a location where the driving can be done without violating traffic laws and you can stop safely at the side of the road.
1. Start the engine and accelerate to approximately 1500-2000 rpm.
2. Drive for 6 minutes at 1500-2000 rpm.
3. Stop the vehicle and remain at idle in drive for 70 seconds.
4. Accelerate to at least 45mph and drive for 5 minutes at 1800-2200 rpm.
5. Stop the vehicle and remain at idle in drive for 60 seconds.
6. Accelerate to at least 45 mph and drive for 4 minutes at 1800-2200 rpm.
7. Stop the vehicle and remain at idle in drive for 60 seconds.
8. Park the vehicle and turn off the engine.
This procedure must be performed TWICE from a cold start to set the readiness codes.
Some people say that if doing it twice doesn’t get it, do it a third time.
Just driving around for a week or two, getting on the highway, stopping for groceries, etc. will also work if you have the time.
Pulling a battery or repairing or replacing a sensor could cause your car to not show the desired readiness codes. If you have frantically worked on your car to get it ready for an inspection, take heed. Probe your ECU with a scanner and do the drive cycles to avoid a headache and $$ at the inspection station.
MadeInJapan’s procedure just worked for me on my ’98 S70. Went through it twice yesterday after fixing an EVAP
CEL issue a week earlier. After the second drive some hours after the first, the 6 INComplete readiness codes
were all OK/complete. Just wanted to chime in for folks that have seen this list of steps to try, and another much
longer list.
Note that the 6/5/4 minutes of driving at X RPM does not need to be uninterrupted — it just need to be a
cumulative total of that many minutes. In my lower RPM drives I had to slow down and then reaccelerate to get
back into RPM range some more, and on the higher RPM runs I’m sure I got outside the range a few times.
I also idled 30+ seconds longer than proscribed just to make sure I didn’t mess up the drive cycle run.
I noticed today when someone posted about their readiness codes that this is not in the repair database, so I’m adding it. Basically, if you go for emissions testing and they scan your computer and find that your car is not ready although there are no diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s) or check engine light, you’ll fail the inspection. A regular OBD-II scanner will also tell you that your readiness codes are not set. Volvo gives us a specific Drive Cycle that has to be done at least twice to set these codes so that you will pass inspection. In this thread, you’ll find those instructions.
and
Last Updated on August 19, 2020
6 Comments
I’m getting quite desperate. I have a Volvo S70, year 2000 and can’t re-set the codes. After having a few minor things fixed to pass smog – I have driven 500+ miles — following all kinds of “expert” directions. Can anyone help me with proven advice? Thank you in advance.
http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/2005/2005_Emission/OBD_II_Emission_Inspection.pdf
this is the official volvo brochure describing readiness reset driving cycles
Link does not work.
Kindly check to see if there are any typos.
Thank You
vehicle: 2000 Volvo S70
Here you go: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=106173
i have heard the same thing but only with respect to one model year, 1998.
I’m in Massachusetts. I purchased a used 1998 V70XC with the Check Engine Light on and code PO455. After checking hoses for leaks and not being able to find anything obvious, I installed a new purge control valve (guessing that this was the most likely culprit) and cleared the codes.
I drove for well over 150 miles and followed the drive sequences outlined in other posts on this forum to attempt to get the system to reset for inspection. After 150 miles, the system was still not reset with 5 of 7 systems displaying not ready.
As I was legally required to get the vehicle inspected within 7 days, I went to my local service station and told them to put a rejection sticker on the vehicle so that I could drive it legally and when they hooked it up to the monitor it passed even with 5 systems showing not ready.
The mechanic told me that he thought that the VOLVO was exempt for the years 96 thru 99.
I don’t know this for sure, but I’m just posting my personal experience with this issue.