Does either bimmerlink or bimmercode have a section to check for smog readiness (this is California)? If so, is it obvious where it's located?

I have an old Innova OBD2 reader and I'm guessing that will work as well, but it'd be nice to use an app!

thx

 

Interesting. Here in Ontario, Canada, all they did for newer cars is check to see if you have any CEL/MILs on the dash and whether the codes had recently been wiped. Fast forward to today, now we have no smog check at all. Personally, I think it's a step backwards as it's not going to prevent people from removing their catalytic converters in favour of a "test pipe". Seems California still cares.

I use the Carista app on my iPhone with the Carista bluetooth OBD2 dongle. It has an "emissions readiness check" function: https://blog.caristaapp.com/what-is-...s-4354499da9e8

 

Thanks for that! I too have my doubts about the usefulness of smog checks every 2 years in California. I'd like to see the statistics about how much it helps. It feels like a scam especially when you have a good running car. Plus it's a big stress point and expensive. Regardless, I know from experience that it always makes sense to check in advance because most places will charge to plug in the OBD reader to tell you it failed. One guy knew the test would fail because he knew it hadn't passed the "cycle" yet (battery switch) but he wasted my time and money and ran the whole test anyway. bad business! Don't get me started :-)

But anyway, fi you have read this far and have the same question, it looks like the vanilla off-the-shelf OBDII reader will do it. I have the OBDLink CX dongle. I wrote bimmercode/link and they responded that their app doesn't support it. I also wrote the OBDLink and they have a free app (mine is IOS) that does it. I assumed the apps I had to pay for would have had it and never even looked at the free app. Anyway, here are some screenshots for anyone interested.

OBDLink free with the dongle


choose "monitors" for OBD readiness



choose which standard for your car


my choice


a bunch of screens follow, although my car shows not ready for smog. this is because I switched out the battery without keeping a small voltage to keep the codes from being erased from memory.
these screens aren't in order, but it's clear that the car hasn't completed the "cycle" to clear the monitors. It would fail California smog in this state. More driving required. Even though, the car is running great, but maybe it's just feeling better than the prius!



many items aren't supported for my car

 

You're right, once they get their hooks and taking money, it don't stop (smog checks). And they continue to just make life difficult as opposed to really making a difference. They won't give up on their revenue stream.

 

Looks like you need to do a suitable drive cycle so the incomplete readiness monitor tests can complete.