Can the car run if the oxygen sensor is broken?
5 Answers
The car can run if the oxygen sensor is broken. The function of the car oxygen sensor is to detect the oxygen content in the exhaust gas emitted from the cylinders. The onboard computer controls the intake of air and fuel based on the oxygen content in the exhaust, ensuring that the fuel is fully burned without waste or pollutant generation, while also preventing excessive air intake that would waste valuable cylinder volume. The oxygen sensor ensures that the three-way catalytic converter has high conversion efficiency for the three pollutants in the exhaust: hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOX), significantly converting and purifying emission pollutants. The oxygen sensor measures whether there is excess oxygen in the exhaust after engine combustion, i.e., the oxygen content, and converts this oxygen content into a voltage signal transmitted to the engine computer, enabling the engine to achieve closed-loop control targeted at the excess air factor.
After the oxygen sensor fails, the car can indeed still be driven, and as someone who frequently tinkers with cars, I'm well aware of this. Driving for a short period is fine, but you'll notice some negative changes: acceleration becomes sluggish, the check engine light on the dashboard will illuminate as a warning, fuel consumption will noticeably increase—possibly by more than 20%—and emissions will exceed standards, polluting the environment. My biggest concern is that if you delay repairs for too long, it could damage the catalytic converter, and replacing that part is quite expensive, costing several thousand yuan at least. So, while driving is temporarily safe, performance declines, the driving experience worsens, and safety is compromised. I recommend not ignoring it and taking the car to a professional repair shop as soon as possible for inspection. The sensor itself isn’t expensive, usually just a few hundred yuan to replace. During daily driving, pay attention to symptoms like excessive vibration at idle or poor acceleration, and address them promptly.
From an environmental perspective, my car could still run when the oxygen sensor was broken, but I immediately realized the severity of the issue. Since the sensor controls the air-fuel mixture ratio, damage to it would increase carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions in the exhaust, causing significant harm to the environment and potentially leading to failed annual inspections. While driving, I noticed reduced power, especially struggling uphill, and a sharp increase in fuel consumption. Short trips for shopping or commuting were manageable, but long-distance driving posed higher risks. I opted for timely repairs to avoid more severe emission problems. In fact, oxygen sensor failures are common in older vehicles or those with carbon buildup, and regular maintenance can prevent them. To minimize ecological impact and save on fuel costs, I advise everyone not to delay repairs.
As a novice driver with less than a year of experience, I personally encountered a faulty oxygen sensor. That day when the check engine light came on, I thought the car would break down, but driving to the repair shop revealed it was still operational, just with weaker acceleration and increased fuel consumption. Short trips to work weren't a big issue, but highway driving was nerve-wracking. Later, replacing the sensor fixed everything, costing about 300 yuan. The experience taught me that this is a minor issue that can be temporarily managed, but neglecting repairs can lead to accumulated problems, such as potential damage to the catalytic converter, affecting driving safety.
From an economic perspective, the car can still run with a faulty oxygen sensor. This month, my fuel consumption increased from 9 liters to 12 liters, costing me hundreds more in fuel expenses each month. Delaying repairs may also damage other components like the catalytic converter, leading to repair costs in the thousands, which is not worth it. Replacing the sensor only costs a few hundred, offering good value for money. Driving poses no immediate danger, but performance is compromised—handling flat roads is manageable, but climbing slopes becomes difficult. I usually recommend checking the fuse or connections for looseness first, but it's best to get it repaired at a shop for peace of mind and cost savings.
