Oxygen sensors replacement

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As the annual CarMD® Vehicle Health Index shows, oxygen sensor replacement is considered to be one of the most common check engine light repairs.

Oxygen sensors detect the amount of oxygen in the exhaust flow and turn the information into a voltage signal used by the car computer to control fuel ratio and emissions. This sensor is the master switch in the fuel control feedback loop.

If not to pay necessary attention to this part, this minor repair can be quite costly. Moreover, the neglecting can lead to up to 40 percent lower fuel efficiency and to more serious damage to the exhaust system of your car.

If the oxygen sensor circuit opens, shorts or goes out of range, it usually sends a fault code and switches on the Service Engine Light. Nevertheless, many oxygen sensors that are badly degraded may continue to function well enough not to send a fault code, though not well enough to prevent the emissions and fuel consumption increase. It should be noted, that the absence of a fault code doesn’t mean the oxygen sensor is doing its job.

If a car has a faulty oxygen sensor, it seems to drive and handle well. Nevertheless, as it has been said earlier, the malfunction can lead to more serious repairs. To be more precise, unhealthy oxygen sensor mean the car is emitting more pollutants.

What can be the cause of the oxygen sensor failure?

The most vulnerable parts of the oxygen sensor are the wiring and the connector.

Another cause is the heater, the function of which is to bring the sensor to operating temperature in case of cold starts and engine warm ups. The sensor can be damaged by thermal shock.

Moreover, excessive heat can be the cause of the wiring damage. In case of improper fastening of the connector and wiring, both of them can be damaged.

Maintenance

In general, the oxygen sensor should outlast the vehicle emissions warranty. Manufacturers of modern cars recommend to inspect and replace the oxygen sensors every 100,00 miles.

In fact, with a proper maintenance, it is possible to increase the life of the sensor for up to 250,000 miles.

To prevent an oxygen sensor failure, it is necessary to follow a regular maintenance and service schedule, such as routine oil changes. It is essential to immediately check the causes for an illuminated check engine light and make necessary maintenance to avoid more expensive repairs.

If you have noticed the lighting engine light and need the consultation, please, contact us! GBChoice team will help you with all your problems!