Bob Howard Chevrolet can show you what bad O2 sensor indicators are.
There are many unique sensors your vehicle utilizes daily, perhaps one of the most important sensors is an O2 sensor, which is needed for a car to drive at its very best. With all of the exhaust gases any car produces, your vehicle needs to be aware of the oxygen levels produced in the exhaust gases. The sensor plays an important part to play in keeping track of a vehicle’s O2 levels to make sure the engine is correctly burning its fuel. A well-working oxygen sensor can be an important cog for a consistent running vehicle. Still, a bad O2 sensor will most likely lead to bad gas economy, bad smells from your vehicle, and a below-level performing powertrain. Here we’ll go deeper into things to watch for when driving your vehicle that can be telltale symptoms of a failed oxygen sensor.
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If you’re driving on the highway and smell anything harsh from your vehicle, this can be a quick sign that the oxygen sensor is going bad. If you ever begin to keep track of any changes like bad powertrain performance, engine misfires, or loud noises, that could be a symptom of your oxygen sensor potentially having issues. One of the worst things that can be a result of a failed O2 sensor is a catalytic converter failing without warning, which could be a nuisance to deal with.
Similar to many different parts of a vehicle, O2 sensors could break down after lots of usage and start to fail. But if you aren’t paying attention, a failed oxygen sensor could lead to huge issues all over your vehicle. A build-up of contaminated coolant or oil ash can lead to an O2 sensor failing, so your choice in oil or fuel is incredibly essential. Due to its placement in a car, it’s better that you bring your car to our trained mechanics to have it looked at or get an OEM oxygen sensor replacement.
It’s best that you stray away from using your car with a failed oxygen sensor as the powertrain is not running on the correct gas mixture. Though it may perform fine in the beginning, if the engine is using too much fuel it could begin to clog the catalytic converter. Considering the possible cost to replace oxygen sensors is much less than purchasing a new catalytic converter, it’s better to make the decision earlier. Additionally, if your car is over 15 years old or has more than 60,000 miles you should think about getting new oxygen sensors for optimal performance and lower pollution.
Bob Howard Chevrolet is an ideal place to get vehicle service in the Oklahoma City area. We happily service all vehicle makes and models. One of our factory-trained technicians will inspect your car or truck to determine if there are any needed repairs and will suggest the best resolution for you and your vehicle. Schedule your car, truck, SUV, or van service online or in person today.
