New ODBII Emissions Testing Ontario, Canada
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New ODBII Emissions Testing Ontario, Canada
New ODBII Emissions Testing - What you need to know
Posted by Pat Arlia on Feb 22, 2013 www.steeda.ca
Recently Ontario's Drive Clean Program introduced a new, standardized ODBII testing procedure. In the past few months I've spent a considerable amount of time answering questions related to these new tests so I thought it fitting to blog about it.
In the past Drive Clean was simply a gas analyzer. A probe would be inserted into your tailpipe that monitored emissions. If it found emissions to be in range you'd pass, if not you'd fail. As of recent Drive Clean is using your onboard ODBII diagnostic system (which is capable of monitoring emissions) to perform the test instead of an exhaust probe. The main difference is that your ODBII emissions monitoring system allows for far less emissions before if reports a failure, so it's harder to pass the new test.
What does this mean for my high performance Mustang and/or other ford vehicle?
Simply put - you may not pass emissions tests anymore even if you had success in the past.
Why may I not pass emissions tests anymore?
The new test looks for ODBII readiness in several categories (catalytic converters, EGR, EVAP, etc). In 99% of vehicles programmed in the last 10 years, rear O2 sensors we're disabled. If you've had your vehicle tuned by Steeda.ca (on the dyno or just a programmer) chances are your rear O2 sensors have been disabled. This means, you'll fail the new test because it requires that your rear o2 sensors are enabled (for readiness).
Why did Steeda.ca disable my rear o2 sensors?
In many applications high - flow catalytic converters are installed. When high flow catalytic converters are installed, your onboard ODBII diagnostic system will report a �catalyst inefficiency� and your check engine light will be illuminated. We disable rear O2 sensors to prevent this from occurring. Turning off the rear O2 sensors had no effect on your vehicles performance and no effect on emissions test results, so we had no reason not to do it (until now of course).
What if I'm not from Ontario?
If your province hasn't adopted emissions testing, or has yet to adopt the ODBII testing procedure for emissions, chances are they will in the near future and for this reason the same fate awaits you.
How do I know if I'll pass the new emissions test?
It basically boils down to how efficient your catalytic converters are. If you have high flow cats installed, you may have passed emissions tests with �flying colours� in the past, however you'll fail now (the new test is much more demanding of your catalytic converters).
You don't have to visit an accredited Drive Clean centre to discover that you'll fail. You may setup an appointment with Steeda.ca prior to setting up an emissions test at an accredited Drive Clean centre. We may perform the same test here, so we'll be able to tell you if your car will pass emissions before you waste your money and time failing an emissions test.
What if Steeda.ca determines I won't pass the new emissions test?
Chances are you'll pass the new emissions test however if you don't, it's not the end of the road - we've built 1000hp cars that have passed emissions tests legitimately. We know what needs to be done to produce an emissions compliant vehicle (regardless of its modifications) and will recommend the necessary components in order to make your vehicle emissions compliant.
You may require new, more efficient catalytic converters. We offer high - flow catalytic converters that yield less emissions than factory (restrictive) converters. These converters typically aren't standard with high - flow x - pipes or h - pipes that are available on the market however they may be swapped out with relative ease.
What if my exhaust system is stock?
If your exhaust system is stock, you'll likely pass the new test without issue. We may still have to reprogram your vehicle and re - enable the rear O2 sensors (assuming they're disabled).
MY .02: This is why we can't easily install Headers on cars with pre-cats that are part of the exhaust manifold as there is 2 O2 sensors (1 before the pre-cat and 1 after the pre-cat which monitors exhaust!).
My exhaust was modified after the rear O2 sensor so i'm good to go! My 1 main cat (located down stream from O2 sensors) has been changed from stock 2.25" to a 2.5" hi-flow Magnaflow and has no issues with this new test!
Magnaflow does offer replacement OE spec exhaust manifolds with catalytic converters as a stock replacement for various mazdas. For more: CLICKME
Posted by Pat Arlia on Feb 22, 2013 www.steeda.ca
Recently Ontario's Drive Clean Program introduced a new, standardized ODBII testing procedure. In the past few months I've spent a considerable amount of time answering questions related to these new tests so I thought it fitting to blog about it.
In the past Drive Clean was simply a gas analyzer. A probe would be inserted into your tailpipe that monitored emissions. If it found emissions to be in range you'd pass, if not you'd fail. As of recent Drive Clean is using your onboard ODBII diagnostic system (which is capable of monitoring emissions) to perform the test instead of an exhaust probe. The main difference is that your ODBII emissions monitoring system allows for far less emissions before if reports a failure, so it's harder to pass the new test.
What does this mean for my high performance Mustang and/or other ford vehicle?
Simply put - you may not pass emissions tests anymore even if you had success in the past.
Why may I not pass emissions tests anymore?
The new test looks for ODBII readiness in several categories (catalytic converters, EGR, EVAP, etc). In 99% of vehicles programmed in the last 10 years, rear O2 sensors we're disabled. If you've had your vehicle tuned by Steeda.ca (on the dyno or just a programmer) chances are your rear O2 sensors have been disabled. This means, you'll fail the new test because it requires that your rear o2 sensors are enabled (for readiness).
Why did Steeda.ca disable my rear o2 sensors?
In many applications high - flow catalytic converters are installed. When high flow catalytic converters are installed, your onboard ODBII diagnostic system will report a �catalyst inefficiency� and your check engine light will be illuminated. We disable rear O2 sensors to prevent this from occurring. Turning off the rear O2 sensors had no effect on your vehicles performance and no effect on emissions test results, so we had no reason not to do it (until now of course).
What if I'm not from Ontario?
If your province hasn't adopted emissions testing, or has yet to adopt the ODBII testing procedure for emissions, chances are they will in the near future and for this reason the same fate awaits you.
How do I know if I'll pass the new emissions test?
It basically boils down to how efficient your catalytic converters are. If you have high flow cats installed, you may have passed emissions tests with �flying colours� in the past, however you'll fail now (the new test is much more demanding of your catalytic converters).
You don't have to visit an accredited Drive Clean centre to discover that you'll fail. You may setup an appointment with Steeda.ca prior to setting up an emissions test at an accredited Drive Clean centre. We may perform the same test here, so we'll be able to tell you if your car will pass emissions before you waste your money and time failing an emissions test.
What if Steeda.ca determines I won't pass the new emissions test?
Chances are you'll pass the new emissions test however if you don't, it's not the end of the road - we've built 1000hp cars that have passed emissions tests legitimately. We know what needs to be done to produce an emissions compliant vehicle (regardless of its modifications) and will recommend the necessary components in order to make your vehicle emissions compliant.
You may require new, more efficient catalytic converters. We offer high - flow catalytic converters that yield less emissions than factory (restrictive) converters. These converters typically aren't standard with high - flow x - pipes or h - pipes that are available on the market however they may be swapped out with relative ease.
What if my exhaust system is stock?
If your exhaust system is stock, you'll likely pass the new test without issue. We may still have to reprogram your vehicle and re - enable the rear O2 sensors (assuming they're disabled).
MY .02: This is why we can't easily install Headers on cars with pre-cats that are part of the exhaust manifold as there is 2 O2 sensors (1 before the pre-cat and 1 after the pre-cat which monitors exhaust!).
My exhaust was modified after the rear O2 sensor so i'm good to go! My 1 main cat (located down stream from O2 sensors) has been changed from stock 2.25" to a 2.5" hi-flow Magnaflow and has no issues with this new test!
Magnaflow does offer replacement OE spec exhaust manifolds with catalytic converters as a stock replacement for various mazdas. For more: CLICKME
Last edited by UseYourNoggin; Mar 23, 2013 at 10:54 AM.
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Car Owners: How to be Test-Ready
If your vehicle was recently repaired, or if the battery was disconnected, the information in your vehicle’s built-in computer might not be readable, and the test might not be completed. As a result, you’ll have to re-take the test and you could be delayed in getting your licence sticker.
A day or two of normal highway and city driving will usually reset your vehicle’s computer and ensure it’s ready for the Drive Clean test.
You can also take your vehicle through a “generic drive cycle”:
Step 1: Make sure the vehicle has been parked for eight hours without a start.Step 2: Start the engine and let it idle in Drive for two-and-a-half minutes with the Air Conditioning (A/C) and rear defroster on.Step 3: Turn the A/C and rear defroster off. Drive the vehicle for 10 minutes at highway speeds.Step 4: Drive the vehicle for 20 minutes in stop-and-go traffic.Step 5: Your drive cycle is complete. You can now go in for your test.
Gas tank should be ¼ to ¾ full. Driver should avoid rapid acceleration.
Get Your Vehicle's History:
This search application will help you get the results from your vehicle’s previous emissions test(s) and repair(s). You can also download the Vehicle Inspections Reports that have been issued for your vehicle.
Find your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) in any of these places:
Another good prep for the test is to put some lacquer thinner in your gas tank about 1 month in advance of the test as this will help clean things (catalytic converter, O2 sensors). Up to 1 gallon of lacquer thinner per 1/2 tank of gas as per video:
If your vehicle was recently repaired, or if the battery was disconnected, the information in your vehicle’s built-in computer might not be readable, and the test might not be completed. As a result, you’ll have to re-take the test and you could be delayed in getting your licence sticker.
A day or two of normal highway and city driving will usually reset your vehicle’s computer and ensure it’s ready for the Drive Clean test.
You can also take your vehicle through a “generic drive cycle”:
Step 1: Make sure the vehicle has been parked for eight hours without a start.Step 2: Start the engine and let it idle in Drive for two-and-a-half minutes with the Air Conditioning (A/C) and rear defroster on.Step 3: Turn the A/C and rear defroster off. Drive the vehicle for 10 minutes at highway speeds.Step 4: Drive the vehicle for 20 minutes in stop-and-go traffic.Step 5: Your drive cycle is complete. You can now go in for your test.
Gas tank should be ¼ to ¾ full. Driver should avoid rapid acceleration.
Get Your Vehicle's History:
This search application will help you get the results from your vehicle’s previous emissions test(s) and repair(s). You can also download the Vehicle Inspections Reports that have been issued for your vehicle.
Find your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) in any of these places:
- on the "Statement of Compliance" label in the driver's door opening – if it’s the original door
- on the vehicle's dashboard
- on the vehicle ownership certificate issued by the Ministry of Transportation
- on the vehicle insurance certificate (pink form) issued by your insurance company
Another good prep for the test is to put some lacquer thinner in your gas tank about 1 month in advance of the test as this will help clean things (catalytic converter, O2 sensors). Up to 1 gallon of lacquer thinner per 1/2 tank of gas as per video:
Last edited by UseYourNoggin; Mar 23, 2013 at 12:09 PM.
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I have recently done it with great results and I only have 60,000 km on my car, less than 10,000 km on replacement catalytic. A few months ago I had a misfire with 1 bad coil that's why I did lacquer thinner (as a misfire sends bad things to catalytic). I put in 2 ltrs lacquer thinner only. I think 1 gallon is a bit much.
Our tests are every 2 years and my first test was after I had car for 3-4 years.
It is also best to change the oil before going to a test (and after lacquer thinner has done its job).
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Just had my 2013 E-Test.
They just retrieve data from computer. Mine passed. Not Applicable means it is not monitored or don't worry about it. Ready means good.
This test was with hi voltage Accel ignition coils, K&N SRI intake, 1/2 steeda throttle body spacer, cut throttle body shaft, 180 degree thermostat, 6 month old Lucas engine oil.
They just retrieve data from computer. Mine passed. Not Applicable means it is not monitored or don't worry about it. Ready means good.
This test was with hi voltage Accel ignition coils, K&N SRI intake, 1/2 steeda throttle body spacer, cut throttle body shaft, 180 degree thermostat, 6 month old Lucas engine oil.
Last edited by UseYourNoggin; May 27, 2013 at 03:26 PM.
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