Reseting computer after battery exchange

Tiny
ROJO REDHEAD
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 LEXUS SC 430
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 40,000 MILES
After 2005 Lexus sat in the garage for about 4 months the battery would not hold a charge. I replaced the battery then went to get a safety inspection sticker in Tx. I was told by the tech it wouldn't pass inspection until I had driven it between 50 and 75 miles to reset the computer. What is this and is it true?
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Saturday, December 4th, 2010 AT 1:51 AM

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Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,749 POSTS
Absolutely true. The inspection station actually connects directly to your cars computer and it sees for instance if there is a trouble code stored causing it to give off too much emissions and it will fail you. It also wants to see the check engine light was not just turned off to get a inspection sticker so the car will need to run atleast 2 drive cycles to pass the readiness test. This will happen usually after 2 drive cycles. A drive cycle consists of when turning of engine the computer sees that the outside temperature is the same as the engine temperature "making sure it is a cold start" then it wants to see the engine warm up and all the sensors working correctly. The computer needs to see this atleast 2 times to pass all readiness tests then youcan get a inspection sticker. A few years ago before they inplemented this strategy every yahoo in america was disconnecting their battery then connecting it up and getting a inspection sticker. I'm sure your aware of the need for emission standards and this just makes sure everybody is following the rules. I'm sure in 2 days your car will pass its tests and you will get a sticker. I hope this sheds some light on your situation. Tim
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Saturday, December 4th, 2010 AT 2:50 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Constant driving might not help. Try 20 minutes on the highway, 10 minutes city driving and back on the highway again for another 20 minutes. It works most of the time.
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Saturday, December 4th, 2010 AT 12:56 PM

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