Although modern emissions testing is done by reading previously recorded data from the computer via the OBD-II port, in some cases the tech will also need to start the gas engine for about a minute so that the computer can check that all of the emissions equipment is functioning.
For gasoline cars this is of course no problem. But hybrids don't always want to start the gas engine "on cue". However there are two ways to start the Clarity engine in this situation. The first and simplest method is to make sure that the HV battery is less than half full when you take your car in for the emissions test. Then if the tech asks you to start the engine, all you have to do is turn the car on and activate HV Charge, which is done by pressing and holding the HV button for a few seconds. In most cases the gas engine will start right up.
In case that doesn't work, or if the HV battery is more than half full, then you can put the car into maintenance mode. It's not that hard to do, but there are multiple steps and the first time you do it it can be difficult to accomplish all of the required steps in the allotted sixty seconds. So it's best to try it once or twice before going in for the emissions test. And be sure to have the steps handy either on your phone or in printed form, because it can be hard to do the whole thing from memory. Especially with an emissions tech staring at you while other cars are lined up behind you waiting their turn.
These steps seem to be standard for all Toyota and Honda hybrids, so there may be some emissions techs who already know how to do it, but mine didn't when I took my Clarity in for its first smog check. Also these steps can come in handy when doing your own oil change, since a standard procedure when changing the oil and filter is to start the engine afterwards and check for any leaks.
Maintenance Mode
Once started the following steps must all be performed within sixty seconds. The first time you try it, since you likely will be reading the instructions while you are doing it you may exceed sixty seconds and it won't work. If that happens then just start from the beginning and try it again.
1) Make sure the car is completely off.
2) Without stepping on the brake pedal, press the power button (Accessory Mode).
3) Press the power button again without stepping on the brake pedal so that the instrument panel display comes on (ON mode)
4) Press the accelerator pedal to the floor twice.
5) Press the brake pedal and press the N button to put the car into neutral, then release the brake pedal.
6) Press the accelerator pedal to the floor twice.
Note - during this accelerator press it will beep and a message will appear:
"Gear Position is N, Release Accelerator Pedal". You can ignore this message.
7) Press the brake pedal and press the P button to put the car into park, then release the brake pedal.
8) Press the accelerator pedal to the floor twice. "Maintenance Mode" appears on the display.
9) Press the brake pedal and press the power button. The engine will start after a few seconds.
Do not drive while in maintenance mode. When you are done with maintenance mode, press the power button to turn the car off. After turning off the car you can then turn it on again normally.
For gasoline cars this is of course no problem. But hybrids don't always want to start the gas engine "on cue". However there are two ways to start the Clarity engine in this situation. The first and simplest method is to make sure that the HV battery is less than half full when you take your car in for the emissions test. Then if the tech asks you to start the engine, all you have to do is turn the car on and activate HV Charge, which is done by pressing and holding the HV button for a few seconds. In most cases the gas engine will start right up.
In case that doesn't work, or if the HV battery is more than half full, then you can put the car into maintenance mode. It's not that hard to do, but there are multiple steps and the first time you do it it can be difficult to accomplish all of the required steps in the allotted sixty seconds. So it's best to try it once or twice before going in for the emissions test. And be sure to have the steps handy either on your phone or in printed form, because it can be hard to do the whole thing from memory. Especially with an emissions tech staring at you while other cars are lined up behind you waiting their turn.
These steps seem to be standard for all Toyota and Honda hybrids, so there may be some emissions techs who already know how to do it, but mine didn't when I took my Clarity in for its first smog check. Also these steps can come in handy when doing your own oil change, since a standard procedure when changing the oil and filter is to start the engine afterwards and check for any leaks.
Maintenance Mode
Once started the following steps must all be performed within sixty seconds. The first time you try it, since you likely will be reading the instructions while you are doing it you may exceed sixty seconds and it won't work. If that happens then just start from the beginning and try it again.
1) Make sure the car is completely off.
2) Without stepping on the brake pedal, press the power button (Accessory Mode).
3) Press the power button again without stepping on the brake pedal so that the instrument panel display comes on (ON mode)
4) Press the accelerator pedal to the floor twice.
5) Press the brake pedal and press the N button to put the car into neutral, then release the brake pedal.
6) Press the accelerator pedal to the floor twice.
Note - during this accelerator press it will beep and a message will appear:
"Gear Position is N, Release Accelerator Pedal". You can ignore this message.
7) Press the brake pedal and press the P button to put the car into park, then release the brake pedal.
8) Press the accelerator pedal to the floor twice. "Maintenance Mode" appears on the display.
9) Press the brake pedal and press the power button. The engine will start after a few seconds.
Do not drive while in maintenance mode. When you are done with maintenance mode, press the power button to turn the car off. After turning off the car you can then turn it on again normally.