Oxygen Sensor Replacement

What is an Oxygen Sensor, Why Is It Important & What Happens If It's Not Replaced?

The oxygen sensor in your vehicle measures the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gasses generated by the engine. If you want to get technical, it then sends real-time data about the amount of unburnt oxygen in the exhaust system to the engine’s computer to determine the correct air-to-fuel ratio for the car’s engine. The oxygen sensor is located in the car’s exhaust system, which allows the fuel injection and engine timing to work efficiently. This function is part of the vehicle’s emission control.

Let's take a look at some questions you may have about your vehicle's oxygen sensor.

What happens if the oxygen sensor is not replaced?

A failing oxygen sensor negatively impacts your vehicle's fuel combustion and delivery systems. If it's not working properly, the oxygen sensor will allow too much fuel to be injected into the engine, which means significantly lower gas mileage.

What are the symptoms of a failing oxygen sensor?

• The Check Engine Light comes on
• Noticeable loss of fuel efficiency
• Sulfur or 'rotten egg' smell from your exhaust
• Black smoke from exhaust
• Emission levels reach high levels
• Your engine hesitates, skips or has power surges
• What happens when oxygen sensor goes out?
• You'll notice poor acceleration, engine misfires, and engine stalling.

Can I drive with a faulty oxygen sensor?

We recommend not driving with a bad oxygen sensor as the powertrain isn't running on the correct fuel mixture. Your engine may seem fine, but if the powertrain is running rich and over-using its fuel it could start to clog the catalytic converter.

How long can I drive with a faulty oxygen sensor?

You can, but don't let it go for over a couple of days, as it might cause safety problems and lead to the malfunction of other parts of your vehicle.

Schedule your service today with Bob Jass Chevrolet to make sure your oxygen sensor and vehicle are at peak performance.