Audi S6 Readiness Status Issues Block Emissions Test

As someone with moderate car repair experience, I had a comparable situation with my 2016 Audi S5, which shares many electronic components with your S6. After connecting my OBD scanner, I discovered that system readiness monitors were incomplete following a recent diagnostic check. This is actually quite normal after the car computer gets reset or the battery is disconnected. The solution cost me nothing since it just required completing a proper drive cycle to reset the onboard diagnostics and restore readiness status. The computer needs time to run all its self-tests. To help troubleshoot your specific case, could you share: When was the last time your battery was disconnected? Have there been any recent repairs or parts replaced? What exact error message appears in your cluster? Which fault codes are being stored? For emissions test preparation, your monitors need to complete their testing cycles. This usually requires driving the car under various conditions following a specific drive cycle pattern. The car diagnostics system needs this data to establish proper readiness status. Without properly set readiness monitors, you likely wont pass the emissions test. Getting the computer reset properly aligned first is essential.

Thanks for the detailed input. Last service was just 2 weeks ago at 70701 KM, where they did replace the battery and updated the engine control unit. The check engine light started flickering right after, showing fault code P0420. The error message reads System Check Incomplete in German, which is strange since my car is set to English. Running the onboard diagnostics shows 3 monitors still pending. Going to try the drive cycle pattern you suggested before taking it back to get the computer reset.

Thanks for the additional details, that matches my experience exactly with my S5 after the battery replacement. The P0420 code and language switch happened to me too, likely triggered by the ECU update and battery change disrupting the system readiness monitors. For anyone following this thread: when the battery gets disconnected or ECU gets updated, the car computer needs to relearn various parameters through a complete drive cycle. The check engine light can flicker and throw temporary codes until all OBD readiness monitors complete their tests. In my case, it took about 3-4 days of normal driving before all monitors showed ready. The language glitch resolved itself after a proper computer reset by the dealer. They explained that the P0420 code was just temporary while the system reestablished baseline readings. Before taking it back, try this drive cycle: Warm up engine to normal temp, Drive 5 minutes at steady highway speeds, Do 5-6 cycles of moderate acceleration/deceleration, Let idle for 3 minutes This should help complete those pending monitors. If the issues persist after a week of driving, having the dealer do another computer reset might be needed to properly sync all systems after the recent updates.

Appreciate the detailed drive cycle steps. The temp is finally above freezing so I will test this out today. You are right that the battery and ECU update likely triggered these issues. After reviewing the vehicle inspection requirements, I need at least 6 out of 8 monitors ready to pass the emissions test, so getting these last 3 completed is critical. I noticed the exhaust system sounds slightly different since the service too, though that could just be my imagination since I am paying more attention to every little thing now. Will try the drive pattern you suggested and report back if that resolves the readiness status and error codes. If not, seems like another computer reset at the dealer may be needed. Going to give it through the weekend of driving before scheduling anything. Really hoping the onboard diagnostics just need time to complete their learning process after the battery change. Thanks again for sharing your similar experience, gives me confidence this is likely just a temporary monitoring issue rather than a major problem.