If you have ever been called a Gas Miser, CONGRATULATIONS!!  Like most Oregonians, you might price check several gas stations looking for the best possible price for your next fill up.  As gas prices continue to climb, we must all do our part in choosing gas conservation.  With this in mind, one of the most over looked parts on your vehicle for maintaining or improving your gas mileage is the Oxygen Sensor.  Each of the pictures below have important information about the function and difference in the types of Oxygen Sensor on the market.  The newer your vehicle is, the more critical it is to properly maintain these sensors.  Just as most newer vehicles recommend a 100,000 mile service including the timing belt and tune up, the Oxygen Sensors should also be changed at this time.  Manufacturers suggest that every 100,000 miles your sensors should be changed to prevent poor voltage levels which can cause your vehicle to over fuel unnecessarily.  When properly maintained, replacing these parts could prevent the destruction of more expensive components such as the Catalytic Converter, EGR Valve and other emmission related components.

 

There is a vast amount of information on the different types of oxygen sensors and how they effect the run ability of your engine.  The most credible information can be found on the BOSCH web site.  With our FREE diagnostic scan test, many of the 1997 and later models allow us to test the voltage levels of your vehicles oxygen sensor.  If you have a check engine light on, this test will also give us the fault codes related to the performance issue.  Oxygen sensor failure is a moderate repair that we can usually handle the same day of your service.  Making sure you have the correct oxygen sensor for your vehicle and understanding that not ALL oxygen sensors are the same will insure that your vehicles engine is operating at O.E. standards.  

 

 

According to a study conducted by Sierra Research Inc. in 1996, worn-out oxygen sensors are the “single greatest source of excessive emissions for fuel-injected vehicles” and the second most significant cause of high emissions in carburetor engines. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have found that oxygen sensor replacement was required on 42%-58% of all vehicles that were subjected to an emissions check and found to be emitting high levels of hydrocarbons or carbon monoxide. Testing the oxygen sensors according to the vehicle manufacturer’s service procedures and replacing a sluggish or worn-out oxygen sensor can improve fuel economy from 10% to 15% (on pre-OBDII vehicles) and pay for itself in a year in fuel savings alone, while restoring your vehicle’s emissions to proper levels. And it can reduce the chance of an overly rich fuel mixture damaging the vehicle’s catalytic converter.