It takes a bit more than just the passage of time to reset. See Below
To reset your I/M readiness monitors on a 2018 Chevy Equinox, ensure your fuel level is between 1/4 and 3/4. Start the car cold (engine off for at least 8 hours), idle for 3 minutes with the A/C and rear defroster on, then complete a 20-30 minute drive blending city, highway, and coasting maneuvers.
For a step-by-step breakdown of the GM drive cycle:
- Cold Start: Begin with the engine completely cold (coolant temperature below 50° F). Do not touch the accelerator for the first few seconds.
- Idle & Load: Start the engine and let it idle for 3 minutes. Turn on the A/C and the rear defroster.
- Steady Highway Cruise: Accelerate smoothly to 55-60 mph. Maintain a steady speed with light throttle for 5 minutes without using cruise control.
- Deceleration (Coast Down): Let off the gas pedal completely to coast from 55 mph down to 20 mph. Do not touch the brake or the clutch during this coast.
- Repeat & Monitor: Accelerate smoothly back up to 55-60 mph, hold for another 5 minutes, and coast down to 20 mph again. Repeat this cycle 3 to 5 times if the EVAP monitor is stubborn.
- City Driving: Drive in 30-40 mph stop-and-go traffic for 5-10 minutes to finish setting the remaining catalyst and evaporative sensors.
Using a standard OBD2 Code Scanner to verify your monitor status before taking an emissions test is highly recommended.