It sounds like your vehicle failed the emissions monitor portion of the smog check. The emission monitor test, falls under the "functional" portion of the smog inspection.
If your Kia's battery was recently replaced, needed to be charged or disconnected, or if your vehicle required the replacement of a fuse(s) which belongs to the emission control computer more than likely the Emission Monitors (also known as Readiness Flags) were erased. During the smog inspection the smog machine will check to ensure the proper Emission Monitors (which are internal self-tests) have passed.
The Generic OBD II Drive Cycle below will usually set the necessary emission monitors. This OBDII drive cycle begins with a cold start (coolant temperature below 122 degrees F). We recommend achieving this by letting your car cool down overnight, and beginning the drive cycle process the next day. Take extra caution while performing drive cycles on public roadways. Drive cycles can be difficult to follow under normal driving conditions.
Begin by:
- Start the engine. Idle the engine in drive for two and a half minutes with the A/C and rear defroster on.
- Turn the A/C and rear defrost off, and accelerate to 55 mph at half throttle.
- Hold at a steady speed of 55 mph for three minutes.
- Decelerate (coast down) to 20 mph without braking or depressing the clutch.
- Accelerate back to 55 to 60 mph at ¾ throttle.
- Hold at a steady speed of 55 to 60 mph for five minutes.
- Decelerate (coast down) to a stop without braking.
If all other emissions systems are functioning properly, completing the drive cycle above will set the "readiness flags" required to pass the smog check. It will not hurt to perform the drive cycle 2 or 3 times before the smog inspection.
posted by SmogTips Support
