New car battery: how long till the computer is good on a Subaru

[salinqmind]

I have 2 more days to get my 2011 Subaru inspected. This morning 8 a.m. I found the battery was dead dead dead. Called AAA and got a new battery put in, called the garage. He said I have to drive it around a few days (!) so the computer will turn on and gather information, it won’t pass inspection till then. Well, I’ll be dipped. I never knew about this.

So just drive around for a while? How long? How fast? I’ve read complicated formulas for stop and go driving (I really don’t do highways - I can go 50 MPH after morning traffic for a few minutes down the road.)

Son of a beeyotch.

[westhou]

GM says about 100 miles

[core]

You will need a cheap OBD II scan tool to see when the emissions status changes to ‘ready’. Unless you just want to pray and go to the inspection. I’m not sure I understand “I really don’t do highways”. You don’t have anywhere near you with a speed limit that high?

Here’s what Subaru apparently says about getting the readiness set in the shortest time (lifted from another site, can’t vouch for accuracy):

1. Make sure the fuel tank is between one-quarter and three-quarters full; half a tank is ideal.

2. Start the engine and immediately drive the vehicle for at least 15 minutes at a speed greater than 50 mph. During the warmup, try to avoid sudden acceleration, hard braking and/or lane changes.

3. Drive the vehicle at a steady 55 mph for three more minutes. During this stage of the drive cycle, it’s crucial that you keep throttle angle changes to a minimum.

4. Bring the vehicle hack to the shop, hook up the scan tool and look at the status of the readiness monitors. Repeat the drive cycle, if necessary.

[panache45]

@core

I’m not sure I understand “I really don’t do highways”. You don’t have anywhere near you with a speed limit that high?

My mother drove for 50 years, and never went over 25. Some people wouldn’t know how to get on/off a highway, or how to drive on one. Good thing they stay off.