The main difference between older cars and newer cars is the number of electronic sensors and modules in them. Electronic control systems have been around for a while, but as technological advancements are made, the number of components keeps increasing. Electronic modules and sensors are designed to get the best performance and fuel mileage for your car. One of the most common sensors is the O2 sensor or oxygen sensor. It’s a vital component in almost all vehicles on the road.
What is an O2 Sensor?
An O2 sensor is an electronic sensor designed to measure the oxygen level in the exhaust fumes that exit the engine after combustion. All combustion engines burn fuel by mixing it with oxygen, which is essential to run the engine. However, the engine itself isn’t intelligent enough to use the perfect fuel/oxygen mixture, that’s why it needs to be monitored! The O2 sensor makes sure the engine uses the optimum amount of fuel by mixing it with the perfect amount of oxygen.
The O2 sensor plays a vital role in boosting fuel economy. It ensures the engine is fuel efficient and does not waste fuel by combining too much or not enough oxygen. A failed O2 sensor is one of the reasons your check engine light may go on. After a technician completes the diagnosis, they may recommend one or more sensors to be replaced. Although each O2 sensor can cost $250.00 – $400.00 to replace, ignoring it will cost you more fuel consumed, the possible failure of state inspections and possible damage to the catalytic converter which is an even higher cost repair.
How Does It Work?
Newer cars have two O2 sensors to make sure the engine performs efficiently. Both of these O2 sensors are located on the exhaust pipe. One sensor is located closer to the exhaust manifold and the other one is located closer to the muffler. Both are located on either side of the catalytic converter. Cars with bigger V6 or V8 engines usually have two exhaust pipes running beneath them. These cars require not two but four O2 sensors called upstream and downstream O2 sensors.
The O2 sensor is connected to the ECU (Engine Control Unit), which is considered the brain of the engine, and constantly sends and receives data for processing. After sensing any type of increased or decreased level of oxygen in the exhaust pipe, it sends a signal to the ECU to reduce or increase the amount of fuel sprayed into the engine by the fuel injector.
If the oxygen level is high in the exhaust pipe after combustion, then it means the car is running on a rich mixture. If the level of oxygen is low, then it is a lean mixture. Both of these conditions can cause poor performance, decreased MPG and excessive emissions to be emitted into the air. The O2 sensor makes sure that the engine runs on the precise ratio of fuel to oxygen. An O2 sensor is necessary to maintain fuel and air requirements are always changing as the car accelerates, decelerates, or climbs hills. The O2 sensor is vital for your car to run smoothly in all conditions.
Even though an O2 Sensor is not considered a regular maintenance item, the sensors operation may deteriorate after 125,000 miles due to the harsh conditions of exhaust heat and gases. Replacement of the sensors may bring better MPG and performance to your car!
